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THE Mourners

MARY E. BROOKS

FORMERLY Mary Elizabeth Aikin, was born at Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York, and educated at Troy, under the care of Mrs. Willard. When quite young, she wrote for the New York periodicals, under the signature of Norna. In 1829, her longest poem- The Rivals of D' Este-was published, with several others, in a volume containing the poetical effusions of her husband, the late James G. Brooks. She possesses many elegant accomplishments, and a thorough acquaint- ance with the modern languages. Her poetical talent is seldom called into exercise now; but the verses she has written display a lively fancy and refined taste. The "Hebrew melodies" in the volume above named, are sweet and expressive, and gracefully executed.

OH, WEEP NOT FOR THE DEAD.

JEREMIAH, xxii. 10.

OH, weep not for the dead! 
Rather, oh rather give the tear
To those that darkly linger here, 
When all besides are fled; 
Weep for the spirit withering
In its cold cheerless sorrowing, 
Weep for the young and lovely one
That ruin darkly revels on;
But never be a tear-drop shed 
For them, the pure enfranchised dead.

Oh, weep not for the dead.
No more for them the blighting chill, 
The thousand shades of earthly ill,
The thousand thorns we tread;
Weep for the life-charm early flown,
The spirit broken, bleeding, lone; 
24*   (281)

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