Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 20 1827/The Image in Lava

For other versions of this work, see The Image in Lava.

The New Monthly Magazine, Volume 20, Pages 255-256


THE IMAGE IN LAVA.*[1]

Thou thing of years departed!
    What ages have gone by,
Since here the mournful seal was set
    By Love and Agony!

Temple and tower have moulder'd,
    Empires from Earth have pass'd—
And woman's heart hath left a trace
    Those glories to outlast!

And childhood's fragile image
    Thus fearfully enshrined,
Survives the proud memorials rear'd
    By conquerors of mankind!

Babe! wert thou calmly slumbering
    Upon thy mother's breast,
When suddenly the fiery tomb
    Shut round each gentle guest?

A strange dark fate o'ertook you,
    Fair babe and loving heart!
One moment of a thousand pangs—
    Yet better than to part!

Haply of that fond bosom
    On ashes here impress'd,
Thou wert the only treasure, child!
    Whereon a hope might rest.


Perchance all vainly lavish'd
    Its other love had been,
And where it trusted, nought remain'd
    But thorns whereon to lean!

Far better then to perish,
    Thy form within its clasp,
Than live and lose thee, precious one!
    From that impassion'd grasp!

Oh! I could pass all relics
    Left by the pomps of old,
To gaze on this rude monument,
    Cast in Affection's mould!

Love, human Love! what art thou?
    —Thy print upon the dust
Outlives the cities of renown,
    Wherein the mighty trust!

Immortal, oh! immortal
    Thou art, whose earthly glow
Hath given these ashes holiness—
    It must, it must be so!F. H.


  1. * The impression of a woman's form, with an infant clasped to the bosom, found at the first uncovering of Pompeii.