Elegiac Stanzas

By Thomas Moore

Lyric Poem
            Sic juvat perire.     When wearied wretches sink to sleep,      How heavenly soft their slumbers lie!     How sweet is death to those who weep,     To those who weep and long to die!     Saw you the soft and grassy bed,         Where flowrets deck the green earth's breast?     'Tis there I wish to lay my head,         'Tis there I wish to sleep at rest.     Oh, let not tears embalm my tomb,--      None but the dews at twilight given!     Oh, let not sighs disturb the gloom,--      None but the whispering winds of heaven!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem under scrutiny presents a profound meditation on life, death, and peace, utilizing a melancholic tone and a simple yet striking structure. The poet explores the theme of death as a source of relief for those burdened by the trials of life, while also underlining the longing for a serene final rest.

The poem begins with the image of 'wearied wretches' falling into a 'heavenly soft' sleep, which is a metaphor for death. The expression of death as a welcome escape for those who 'weep and long to die' sets a somber, introspective tone. The poet's desire to be laid to rest in a 'soft and grassy bed' adorned with 'flowrets' symbolizes a yearning for a peaceful, natural end, devoid of the pomp and ceremony usually associated with death.

The repeated structure in the second half of each stanza serves to emphasize the speaker's wishes and desires—first for the location of their eternal rest and later for the absence of mournful remembrance. The poet's plea to exclude tears and sighs from their burial and only have the 'dews at twilight' and the 'whispering winds of heaven' signifies a request for a tranquil, undisturbed death and a natural communion with the earth. The poem, overall, uses the literary device of personification beautifully, attributing human qualities to death, making it appear gentle and inviting. The poet's melancholic contemplation of death and the hereafter is both poignant and thought-provoking.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.