Death! that struck when I was most confiding <br />In my certain faith of joy to be - <br />Strike again, Time's withered branch dividing <br />From the fresh root of Eternity! <br /> <br />Leaves, upon Time's branch, were growing brightly, <br />Full of sap, and full of silver dew; <br />Birds beneath its shelter gathered nightly; <br />Daily round its flowers the wild bees flew. <br /> <br />Sorrow passed, and plucked the golden blossom; <br />Guilt stripped off the foliage in its pride; <br />But, within its parent's kindly bosom, <br />Flowed for ever Life's restoring-tide. <br /> <br />Little mourned I for the parted gladness, <br />For the vacant nest and silent song - <br />Hope was there, and laughed me out of sadness; <br />Whispering, ' Winter will not linger long!' <br /> <br />And, behold! with tenfold increase blessing, <br />Spring adorned the beauty-burdened spray; <br />Wind and rain and fervent heat, caressing, <br />Lavished glory on that second May! <br /> <br />High it rose - no winged grief could sweep it; <br />Sin was scared to distance with its shine; <br />Love, and its own life, had power to keep it <br />From all wrong - from every blight but thine! <br /> <br />Cruel Death! The young leaves droop and languish; <br />Evening's gentle air may still restore - <br />No! the morning sunshine mocks my anguish - <br />Time, for me, must never blossom more! <br /> <br />Strike it down, that other boughs may flourish <br />Where that perished sapling used to be; <br />Thus, at least, its mouldering corpse will nourish <br />That from which it sprung - Eternity.<br /><br />Emily Jane Brontë<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/death-that-struck-when-i-was-most-confiding/
