10 SALLY SIMPKIN'S LAMENT OR, JOHN JONES'S KIT-CAT-ASTROPHE 1839 He left his body to the sea, 5 "It is not painted to the life, " 'Oh! Sally dear, it is too true, Is come to say my other half "Oh! Sally, sharks do things by halves, Yet most completely do! 1 This poem is supposed to have been written on the death of Hood's sister. Drown'd! drown'd!-Hamlet.1 One more unfortunate, Weary of breath, Rashly importunate, 5 Take her up tenderly, Look at her garments 15 Touch her not scornfully; 20 Now is pure womanly. 1 Act IV, 7, 185. 2 waxed cloths used for wrapping dead bodies Make no deep scrutiny Into her mutiny Rash and undutiful: Past all dishonor 25 Death has left on her Only the beautiful. Still, for all slips of hers, One of Eve's familyWipe those poor lips of hers 30 Oozing so clammily. Loop up her tresses Escaped from the comb, Her fair auburn tresses; Whilst wonderment guesses 35 Where was her home? Who was her father? Had she a brother? 40 Or was there a dearer one Still, and a nearer one Yet, than all other? Alas! for the rarity Of Christian charity 45 Under the sun! Oh! it was pitiful! Sisterly, brotherly, 50 Fatherly, motherly, Feelings had changed: Love, by harsh evidence, Thrown from its eminence; Even God's providence 55 Seeming estranged. Where the lamps quiver From window and casement, 60 From garret to basement, She stood, with amazement, Houseless by night. The bleak wind of March Made her tremble and shiver; 65 But not the dark arch, Or the black flowing river: Mad from life's history, Glad to death's mystery, Swift to be hurl'd70 Anywhere, anywhere, Out of the world! 60 My only claim is this, With labor stiff and stark, By lawful turn, my living to earn, Between the light and dark; My daily bread, and nightly bed, My bacon, and drop of beer Welcome, life! the Spirit strives! 10 Strength returns, and hope revives; Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn Fly like shadows at the morn,— Oer the earth there comes a bloomSunny light for sullen gloom, 65 But all from the hand that holds the land, 15 Warm perfume for vapor cold |