Marianne Faithfull

The Bridge Of Sighs
One more unfortunate Weary of breath Rashly importunate Gone to her death Take her up tenderly Lift her with care Fashion'd so slenderly Young, and so fair Look at her garments Clinging like cerements Whilst the wave constantly Drips from her clothing Take her up instantly Loving, not loathing Touch her not scornfully Think of her mournfully Gently and humanly Not of the stains of her All that remains of her Now is pure womanly Make no deep scrutiny Into her mutiny Letras de cancionesRash and undutiful Past all dishonour Death has left on her Only the beautiful Still, for all slips of hers One of Eve's family Wipe those poor lips of hers Oozing so clammily Loop up her tresses Escaped from the comb Her fair auburn tresses Whilst wonderment guesses Where was her home? Who was her father? Who was her mother? Had she a sister? Had she a brother? Or was there a dearer one still And a nearer one yet Than all other? Alas, for the rarity Of Christian charity Under the sun O, it was pitiful Near a whole city full Home she had none Sisterly, brotherly Fatherly, motherly Feelings had changed Love, by harsh evidence Thrown from its eminence Even God's providence Seeming estranged Where the lamps quiver So far in the river With many a light From window and casement From garret to basement She stood with amazement Houseless by night The bleak wind of March Made her tremble and shiver But not the dark arch Or the black flowing river Mad from life's history Glad to death's mystery Swift to be hurl'd Anywhere, anywhere Out of the world In she plunged boldly No matter how coldly The rough river ran Over the brink of it Picture it, think of it Dissolute man Lave in it, drink of it Then, if you can Take her up tenderly Lift her with care Fashion'd so slenderly Young, and so fair Ere her limbs frigidly Stiffen too rigidly Decently, kindly Smooth and compose them And her eyes, close them Staring so blindly Dreadfully staring Thro' muddy impurity As when with the daring Last look of despairing Fix'd on futurity Perishing gloomily Spurr'd by contumely Cold inhumanity Burning insanity Into her rest Cross her hands humbly As if praying dumbly Over her breast Owning her weakness Her evil behaviour And leaving with meekness Her sins to her Saviour From Letras Mania