Tuesday, October 7, 2025

The Death of Thekla[1]

by J.W. Dalby [John Watson Dalby].

Originally published in The Poet's Magazine (Leonard Lloyd) vol.2 #15 (Nov 1877).


        No path now lies before me, no, not one!
                Save that which leads me to my lost love's grave;
                No hope beyond, no guest besides I have.
        Neabrunn! if thou desert me, then, alone
        I go; nor gloom of night, nor winds' invivid moan.
                Shall me restrain: a broken heart can brave
                Hells' legioned spirits, nor assistance crave,
        Itself already a lost spirit grown.
        The trembling girl went with her; saw her seek
                The mangled corse where the unburied lay;
        The lovely and the lifeless were united.
        She pressed her arm against his pallid cheek,
                And with one sigh the life-blood ebbed away:
        Death sealed and sanctified the vows she plighted.


        1. See Schiller's "Wallenstein."

Love's Memories

Originally published in The Keepsake for 1828 (Hurst, Chance, and Co.; Nov 1827).         "There's rosemary, that's for reme...