Biographical Sketch
Thomas Hood (1799-1845) was born in London. He studied engraving but turned to literature and journalistic writing and editing. He wrote many songs and ballads, and he was able to combine seriousness and humor in his poetry. Throughout his life, he had to deal with chronic health problems and poverty, but he did so with stoicism and cheerfulness.
The following poem (which may be about the poet’s own health and mortality) was published in the book A Victorian Anthology (edited by Edmund Clarence Stedman; published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1895).
Stanzas
Farewell, Life! my senses swim,
And the world is growing dim;
Thronging shadows cloud the light,
Like the advent of the night;
Colder, colder, colder still,
Upward steals a vapor chill;
Strong the earthy odor grows—
I smell the mould above the rose!
Welcome, Life! the Spirit strives!
Strength returns and hope revives;
Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn
Fly like shadows of the morn;
O’er the earth there comes a bloom;
Sunny light for sullen gloom,
Warm perfume for vapor cold—
I smell the rose above the mould!