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Death (They Die, the Dead Return Not), By: Percy Bysshe Shelley

October 18, 2026 by Editors

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1.

They die—the dead return not—Misery
Sits near an open grave and calls them over,
A Youth with hoary hair and haggard eye—
They are the names of kindred, friend and lover,
Which he so feebly calls—they all are gone—
Fond wretch, all dead! those vacant names alone,
This most familiar scene, my pain—
These tombs—alone remain.

2.

Misery, my sweetest friend—oh, weep no more!
Thou wilt not be consoled—I wonder not!
For I have seen thee from thy dwelling’s door
Watch the calm sunset with them, and this spot
Was even as bright and calm, but transitory,
And now thy hopes are gone, thy hair is hoary;
This most familiar scene, my pain—
These tombs—alone remain.

Read all of Percy Bysshe Shelley's poems · About Percy Bysshe Shelley

More by Percy Bysshe Shelley

  • Otho
  • Fragments Supposed to Be Parts of Otho
  • O That a Chariot of Cloud Were Mine
  • Fragment: To a Friend Released from Prison
  • Fragment: Satan Broken Loose

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