Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1822.pdf/25

24 Literary Gazette, 25th May, 1822, Page 331

POETIC SKETCHES. Second Series—Sketch the Fourth. ST. GEORGE'S HOSPITAL, HYDE-PARK CORNER.

These are familiar things, and yet how few Think of this misery!—

I left the crowded street and the fresh day, And entered the dark dwelling, where Death was A daily visitant,— where sickness shed Its weary languor o'er each fevered couch. There was a sickly light, whose glimmer showed Many a shape of misery: there lay The victims of disease, writhing with pain; And low faint groans, and breathings short and deep, Each gasp a heartfelt agony, were all That broke the stillness.—There was one, whose brow Dark with hot climates, and gashed o'er with scars, Told of the toiling march, the battle-rush, Where sabres flashed, the red shots flew, and not One ball or blow but did destruction's work: But then his heart was high, and his pulse beat Proudly and fearlessly:— now he was worn With many a long day's suffering,— and death's A fearful thing when we must count its steps! And this was, then, the end of those sweet dreams, Of home, of happiness, of quiet years Spent in the little valley which had been So long his land of promise? Farewell all Gentle remembrances and cherished hopes! His race was run, but its goal was the grave.— I looked upon another, wasted, pale, With eyes all heavy in the sleep of death; Yet she was lovely still,—the cold damps hung Upon a brow like marble, and her eyes, Though dim, had yet their beautiful blue tinge.