Oh, Mary, when distress and anguish came, <br />And slow disease preyed on thy wasted frame; <br />When every friend, ev'n like thy bloom, was fled, <br />And Want bowed low thy unsupported head; <br />Sure sad Humanity a tear might give, <br />And Virtue say, Live, beauteous sufferer, live! <br />But should there one be found, (amidst the few <br />Who with compassion thy last pangs might view), <br />One who beheld thy errors with a tear, <br />To whom the ruins of thy heart were dear, <br />Who fondly hoped, the ruthful season past, <br />Thy faded virtues might revive at last; <br />Should such be found--oh! when he saw thee lie, <br />Closing on every earthly hope thine eye; <br />When he beheld despair, with rueful trace, <br />Mark the strange features of thy altered face; <br />When he beheld, as painful death drew nigh, <br />Thy pale, pale cheek, thy feebly lifted eye, <br />Thy chill, shrunk hand, hung down as in despair, <br />Or slowly raised, with many a muttered prayer;-- <br />When thus, in early youth, he saw thee bend <br />Poor to the grave, and die without a friend; <br />Some sadder feelings might unbidden start, <br />And more than common pity touch his heart! <br />The eventful scene is closed; with pausing dread <br />And sorrow I drew nigh the silent bed; <br />Thy look was calm--thy heart was cold and still, <br />As if the world had never used it ill; <br />Methought the last faint smile, with traces weak, <br />Still seemed to linger on thy faded cheek. <br />Poor Mary! though most beauteous in thy face, <br />Ere sorrow touched it, beamed each lovely grace; <br />Yet, oh! thy living features never wore <br />A look so sweet, so eloquent before, <br />As this, which bids all human passions cease, <br />And tells my pitying heart you died in peace!<br /><br />William Lisle Bowles<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-an-unfortunate-and-beautiful-woman/
