The Grave by Karamsin part 2

Taken in New Orleans 2009

It would have been terrific if the book ELOCUTION AND ORATORY (yes, all caps) had arrived with a table of contents or an index. I would have found the rest of the short dialogue which I posted a few weeks ago and posted the whole at once. At least the full poetic dialogue comes with minimal attribution; it was apparently written by someone named Karamsin. A reminder that it
speaks rather eloquently of the two approaches to the topic of death. One sees it is a true negative, the other sees the bright-light. 



1. "First Voice
  How frightful the grave!  how deserted and drear!
                     With the howls of the storm-wind -- the creaks of the bier,
                      And the white bones all clattering together!

2. "Second Voice

 How peaceful the grave! its quite how deep;

                       Its zephyres breathe calmly, and soft is its sleep,

                         And flowerets perfume it with ether.

3. "First Voice
There riots the blood-crested worm on the dead
And the yellow skull serves the foul toad for a bed
And snakes in its nettle-weeds hiss.

4. "Second Voice

How lovely, how sweet the repose of the tomb;

No tempests are there -- but the nightingales come

And sing their sweet chorus of bliss. 

5. "First Voice
The ravens of night flap their wings o're the grave;
'This the vulture's abode -- 'this the wolf's dreary cave,
Where they tear up the earth with their fangs.

6. "Second Voice

There the rabbit at evening disports with his love,

Or rests on the sod -- while the turtles above,

Repose on the bough that o'erhangs.

7. "First Voice
There darkness and dampness with poisonous breath
And loathsome decay, fill the dwelling of death,
And trees are all barren and bare!

8. "Second Voice

Oh, soft are the breezes that play round the tomb

And sweet with the violet's wafted perfume,

 With lilies and jessamine fair.

9. "First Voice
The pilgrim who reaches this valley of tears,
Would fain hurry by, with trembling and fears,
He is launched on the wreck-covered river.

10. "Second Voice

The traveler, outworn with life's pilgrimage dreary,

Lays down his rude staff, like one that is weary,

And sweetly reposes forever!

I don't think either side of this dialogue really um...dialogues with the other. They each present a quite different viewpoint (glass half-full, glass half empty?) and walk away fully convinced they have convinced each other. Interesting period piece. 







author: unknown since all attribution is just missing in this text -- a very Victorian approach to intellectual property.