| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Georgian Verse. 1909. | | | | Bereavement | | By William Lisle Bowles (1762–1850) |
| | | WHOSE was that gentle voice, that, whispering sweet, | |
| Promised methought long days of bliss sincere! | |
| Soothing it stole on my deluded ear, | |
| Most like soft music, that might sometimes cheat | |
| Thoughts dark and drooping! ’Twas the voice of Hope. | 5 |
| Of love, and social scenes, it seemed to speak, | |
| Of truth, of friendship, of affection meek; | |
| That oh! poor friend, might to life’s downward slope | |
| Lead us in peace, and bless our latest hours. | |
| Ah me! the prospect saddened as she sung; | 10 |
| Loud on my startled ear the death-bell rung; | |
| Chill darkness wrapt the pleasurable bowers, | |
| Whilst Horror pointing to yon breathless clay, | |
| ‘No peace be thine,’ exclaimed, ‘away, away!’ | | | | |
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