C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
The Bridge of Sighs
By Thomas Hood (1799–1845)
O
Weary of breath,
Rashly importunate,
Gone to her death!
Lift her with care:
Fashioned so slenderly,
Young, and so fair!
Clinging like cerements;
Whilst the wave constantly
Drips from her clothing:
Take her up instantly,
Loving, not loathing.
Think of her mournfully,
Gently and humanly:
Not of the stains of her;
All that remains of her
Now, is pure womanly.
Into her mutiny,
Rash and undutiful:
Past all dishonor,
Death has left on her
Only the beautiful.
One of Eve’s family—
Wipe those poor lips of hers,
Oozing so clammily.
Escaped from the comb,—
Her fair auburn tresses;
Whilst wonderment guesses,
Where was her home?
Who was her mother?
Had she a sister?
Had she a brother?
Or was there a dearer one
Still, and a nearer one
Yet, than all other?
Of Christian charity
Under the sun!
Oh, it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,
Home she had none!
Fatherly, motherly
Feelings had changed;
Love, by harsh evidence,
Thrown from its eminence;
Even God’s providence
Seeming estranged.
So far in the river,
With many a light
From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,
Houseless by night.
Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black-flowing river:
Mad from life’s history,
Glad to death’s mystery
Swift to be hurled—
Anywhere, anywhere,
Out of the world!
No matter how coldly
The rough river ran—
Over the brink of it:
Picture it, think of it,
Dissolute Man!
Lave in it, drink of it,
Then, if you can!
Lift her with care:
Fashioned so slenderly,
Young, and so fair!
Stiffen too rigidly,—
Decently, kindly,
Smooth and compose them;
And her eyes, close them,
Staring so blindly!
Through muddy impurity,
As when with the daring
Last look of despairing
Fixed on futurity.
Spurred by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity,
Into her rest—
Cross her hands humbly,
As if praying dumbly,
Over her breast!
Her evil behavior,
And leaving, with meekness,
Her sins to her Savior!