Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 1904. | | | | V. Death and Bereavement | | “Farewell, Life” | | Thomas Hood (1799–1845) |
| | Written During Sickness, April, 1845 |
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FAREWELL, life! my senses swim, | |
| And the world is growing dim; | |
| Thronging shadows cloud the light, | |
| Like the advent of the night,— | |
| Colder, colder, colder still, | 5 |
| Upward steals a vapor chill; | |
| Strong the earthly odor grows,— | |
| I smell the mold above the rose! | |
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| Welcome, life! the spirit strives! | |
| Strength returns and hope revives; | 10 |
| Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn | |
| Fly like shadows at the morn,— | |
| O’er the earth there comes a bloom; | |
| Sunny light for sullen gloom, | |
| Warm perfume for vapor cold,— | 15 |
| I smell the rose above the mold! | | | |
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