On Seeing A Bust Of R. B. Sheridan, From A Cast Taken After Death.[209]

By William Lisle Bowles

Elegy
     Alas, poor Sheridan! when first we met,      'Twas 'mid a smiling circle, and thine eye,      That flashed with eloquent hilarity      And playful fancy, I remember yet      Freshly as yesterday. The gay and fair,      The young and beautiful, - now in their graves -      Surrounded us; while on the lucid wave      Of Hampton's waters, to the morning air      The streamer softly played of our light boat,      Which seemed as on a magic sea to float.      I saw thee after in this crowd of life,      Conflicting, but yet blandly, with its strife.      As the still car of Time rolled on, thy cheek      Wore the same smile, yet with a trace more weak.      Lone sorrow came as life declined, and care,      And age, with slowly furrowing line, was there.      I could have spared this fearful sight! Most strange      Is the eventful tale of mortal change,      Inevitable; but death, brought so nigh,      In form so tangible, harrows the eye.      As all the past floats like a cloud away,      Alas, poor Sheridan! I turn and say,      Not without feelings which such sights impart,      Sad, but instructive, to the Christian's heart!     May 18, 1826.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a poignant elegy lamenting the death of a friend, Sheridan, skillfully blending the melancholy of loss with the universal inevitability of death. The speaker engages in a vivid remembrance of their earlier encounters, employing vivid imagery and sensory detail to recreate past scenes. The 'smiling circle', 'streamer softly played' and 'magic sea' serve to create a joyful, youthful atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the later desolation brought about by death.

The tone of the poem transitions from nostalgia to melancholy to a somber acceptance of mortality. The poet uses the passage of time, symbolized by the 'still car of Time,' as a powerful device to depict the inevitable decay brought by age and life's hardships, marked by 'slowly furrowing line.' This is juxtaposed with the enduring spirit of Sheridan, whose smile, despite becoming 'more weak,' persists amid life's trials. The poem concludes with a reflection on mortality, using the tangible image of death to provoke a deep emotional response, and imparting a moral lesson about the transitory nature of life. The poet's use of apostrophe, directly addressing Sheridan, adds a personal, intimate touch to the elegy, amplifying its emotional resonance.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.