O Say, Thou Best And Brightest.

O say, thou best and brightest,
    My first love and my last.
When he, whom now thou slightest,
    From life's dark scene hath past,
Will kinder thoughts then move thee?
    Will pity wake one thrill
For him who lived to love thee,
    And dying loved thee still?

If when, that hour recalling
    From which he dates his woes,
Thou feel'st a tear-drop falling,
    Ah, blush not while it flows;
But, all the past forgiving,
    Bend gently o'er his shrine,
And say, "This heart, when living,
    "With all its faults, was mine."

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, singer, and songwriter, celebrated for his Irish Melodies, which are now considered a staple of Irish cultural heritage. Born on May 28, 1779, in Dublin, Ireland, Moore gained fame for his lyrical songs, many of which were set to traditional Irish tunes. Not only a poet, but he was also a staunch advocate of Irish nationalism, often incorporating themes of national identity and resistance into his work. Moore's influential collection 'Irish Melodies' became popular in both Ireland and Britain and helped to define the literary output of the era. He passed away on February 25, 1852, but his legacy in Irish literature and music endures.

Thomas Moore

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.