To J. D. H.

To J. D. H.
(Killed at Surrey C. H., October, 1866.) (1866)
by Sidney Lanier

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Note: In Greek mythology, Lethe is one of the several rivers of Hades. Drinking from the river Lethe (“forgetfulness” or “oblivion”) caused complete forgetfulness. Some ancient Greeks believed that souls were made to drink from the river before being reincarnated, so they would not remember their past lives.

117353To J. D. H.
(Killed at Surrey C. H., October, 1866.)1866Sidney Lanier

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Dear friend, forgive a wild lament
      Insanely following thy flight.
I would not cumber thine ascent
      Nor drag thee back into the night;

But the great sea-winds sigh with me,
      The fair-faced stars seem wrinkled, old,
And I would that I might lie with thee
      There in the grave so cold, so cold!

Grave walls are thick, I cannot see thee,
      And the round skies are far and steep;
A-wild to quaff some cup of Lethe,
      Pain is proud and scorns to weep.

My heart breaks if it cling about thee,
      And still breaks, if far from thine.
O drear, drear death, to live without thee,
      O sad life—to keep thee mine.

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