by Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793 - 1835)
He Never Smiled Again
Language: English
The bark that held a prince went down, The sweeping waves roll’d on; And what was England’s glorious crown To him that wept a son? He lived-for life may long be borne Ere sorrow break its chain;- Why comes not death to those who mourn? — He never smiled again! There stood proud forms around his throne, The stately and the brave, But which could fill the place of one, That one beneath the wave? Before him pass’d the young and fair, In pleasure’s reckless train, But seas dash’d o’er his son’s bright hair – — He never smiled again! He sat where festal bowls went round ; He heard the minstrel sing, He saw the Tourney’s victor crown’d, Amidst the knightly ring: A murmur of the restless deep Was blent with every strain, A voice of winds that would not sleep – — He never smiled again! Hearts, in that time, clos’d o’er the trace Of vows once fondly pour’d, And strangers took the kinsman’s place At many a joyous board; Graves, which true love had bath’d with tears, Were left to Heaven’s bright rain, Fresh hopes were born for other years – — He never smiled again!
Authorship:
- by Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793 - 1835), "He Never Smiled Again" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Harriet Browne (1790 - 1858), "He Never Smiled Again", published 1830? [ voice and piano ], London : Willis & Co. [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2023-06-10
Line count: 32
Word count: 199