Poem: Burial of the Beautiful

This is another Newspapers.com discovery. I have Dillon family who were in MS at the time this poem was printed in the Rodney Telegraph. However, I do not know this John B. Dillon. I feel the poet put in a diligent effort and did find rhymes that worked but it does not flow. Perhaps it is a good example of poetry of the time it was written. I appreciate the novelty of a poet in the family.

 

 

Burial of the Beautiful

 

By John B. Dillon in 1836

 

Where shall the dead, and the beautiful sleep?

In the vale where the willow and cypress weep;

Where the wind of the west breath’s its soft’st sigh;

Where the silvery stream is flowing nigh,

And the pure, clear drops of its rising sprays

Glitter like gems in the bright moon’s rays –

Where the sun’s warm smile may never dispel

Night’s tears o’er the form we loved so well –

In the vale where the sparkling waters flow;

Where the fairest, earliest violets grow;

Where the sky and the Earth are softly fair,

                        Bury her there – bury her there!

 

Where shall the dead, and the beautiful sleep?

Where wild flowers bloom in the valley deep;

Where the sweet robes of spring may softly rest,

In purity, over the sleeper’s breast;

Where is heard the voice of the sinless dove,

Breathing notes of deep and undying love;

Where no column proud in the sun may glow,

To mock the heart that is resting below;

Where pure hearts are sleeping, forever blest;

Where wandering Perri love to rest;

Where the sky and the Earth are softly fair,

                        Bury her there – bury her there!

 

Source: Burial of the Beautiful. (Rodney, MS: The Rodney Telegraph, 15 Jan 1836) 1; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Nov 2021.