This is an excerpt from Verse XXX of this famous poem, dealing with the first Christmas after the death in 1833 of Arthur Hallam, aged 22; who was the best friend of this remarkable poet, and engaged to be married to his sister.
May beautiful moments and happy memories surround you and your family this holiday season!
All Love , Hilary and Brittany
With trembling fingers did we weave
The holly round the Christmas hearth.
A rainy cloud possessed the earth
And sadly fell our Christmas Eve.
At our old pastimes in the Hall
We gambol’d, making vain pretence
Of gladdness, with an awful sense
Of one mute shadow, watching all.
We paused: the winds were in the beech:
We heard them sweep the winter land;
And in a circle, hand-in-hand
Sat silent; looking each at each.
Then echo-like our voices rang;
We sung, tho’ every eye was dim
A merry song we sang with him
Last year: impetuously we sang.
We ceased: a gentler feeling crept
Upon us: surely rest is meet:
“They rest” we said “Their sleep is sweet”
And silence followed, and we wept.
Rise, happy morn, rise, holy morn
Draw forth the cheerful day from night.
O Father, touch the east and light
The light that shone when hope was born.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Verse LXXVII
I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most.
Tis’ better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, sweet Prince and Princess.
All love
This is a truly special poem. It has helped my sons with the loss of their brother. With love, Marcy
Ft. Collins, CO
As I was decorating the “Christmas hearth” today I felt the need to go back and read this post and and this moving piece of poetry. I am so grateful for your comment and to know your family found it helpful as well. I hope this last year has brought you comfort and healing. All Love – Hilary