Verses Written on Her Death-Bed

Mary Monck

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1. What is the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed about?
2. What is the theme of the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed?
3. What is the structure of the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed?
4. Line by Line Analysis and Literary Devices in the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed

What is the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed about?

Mary Monck’s “Verses, written on her death-bed at Bath to her husband in London” provides a poignant glimpse into the final moments of the poet’s life. Published in 1755 as part of the collection Poems by Eminent Ladies, the poem reveals the intimate connection between Monck and her husband, George Monck.

Mary Monck’s personal circumstances, combined with her poignant expression of love and contemplation of mortality, lend a deeply personal and heartfelt quality to “Verses.” The poem serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and the complexities of human emotions in the face of mortality.

What is the theme of the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed?

The theme of Mary Monck’s poem, “Verses Written on her death bed,” revolves around the contemplation of mortality, the allure of death, and the conflict between earthly joys and the promise of eternal bliss. The speaker reflects on the transient nature of worldly pleasures, recognizing their vanity and insignificance in the face of the eternal scenes of heaven. The poem explores the speaker’s acceptance of death as a conqueror, acknowledging its power and promises of rest from pain. It also highlights the emotional struggle between the desire for release from suffering and the attachment to earthly love.

What is the structure of the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed?

The poem is written in rhymed couplets, where each pair of lines ends with a rhyme. This structured rhyme scheme contributes to the overall collected and controlled tone of the poem. The poem is predominantly written in Iambic Pentameter. It enhances the rhythmic quality and aids in the smooth delivery of the poem’s emotional message.

Line by Line Analysis and Literary Devices in the poem Verses Written on Her Death Bed

Thou, who dost all my worldly thoughts employ, A
Thou pleasing source of all my earthly joy: A
Thou tend'rest husband, and thou best of friends, B
To thee this first, this last adieu I send. B

The speaker’s deep devotion to her husband is evident in the way she addresses him as the one who occupies her thoughts entirely. She attributes all her joys in life to his presence, emphasizing the profound impact he has had on her happiness. By referring to her husband as the “tend’rest husband” and the “best of friends,” the speaker highlights the depth of their relationship. It suggests that their bond goes beyond the typical husband-wife dynamic, encompassing a deep friendship characterized by care, tenderness, and understanding. The fact that this is the first time she bids her husband adieu implies that they have been inseparable throughout their lives, rarely parting ways due to their strong connection and closeness. However, the speaker also acknowledges that this is the last farewell she can offer to her husband due to the impending force of death. The finality and inevitability of death are tearing them apart, emphasizing the power of this ultimate separation.

At length the conqu'ror death asserts his right, C
And will for ever veil me from thy sight. C
He wooes me to him with a chearful grace;      D                                                                                                                          And not one terror clouds his meagre face. D

• Death is personified and referred to as a conqueror wooing the speaker.

Here, the speaker acknowledges the inevitable triumph of death, referred to as the “conqu’ror death,” who asserts his authority and claims his right over every mortal life on earth. The metaphorical description of death as a veil that will forever hide her from her husband’s view emphasizes the finality and separation that death brings. The personification of death as a wooer, displaying a cheerful grace and lacking any signs of terror, can be seen as a contrast to the speaker’s current state of pain and suffering. It suggests that death may appear as a welcome relief or release from the speaker’s anguish. The absence of fear in death’s countenance implies that the speaker perceives death as a gentle and inviting force, in contrast to the pain and suffering she may be experiencing in her present condition.

He promises a lasting rest from pain; E
And shews that all life's fleeting joys are vain. E
Th' eternal scenes of heav'n he sets in view, F
And tells me that no other joys are true. F

• The reference to “eternal scenes of heaven” alludes to the promised bliss and everlasting joy in the afterlife.

Here, the speaker describes the promises made by death. Death is portrayed as offering a lasting rest from pain, suggesting relief from the suffering and anguish that the speaker may be experiencing in her current state. The fleeting nature of life’s joys is emphasized, as the speaker realizes that they are ultimately vain or empty. In contrast to the transient nature of earthly joys, death presents the eternal scenes of heaven to the speaker. It captures her imagination with the vision of an everlasting paradise. The speaker is convinced that the joys found in heaven are the only true and lasting ones, while all other forms of joy in life are temporary and illusory.

But love, fond love, would yet resist his pow'r; G
Would fain awhile defer the parting hour: G
He brings thy mourning image to my eyes, H
And would obstruct my journey to the skies. H

Here, the speaker acknowledges the powerful force of love, represented as “fond love,” which seeks to resist the power of death. Despite the promises and allure of death, love still yearns to prolong the speaker’s journey and defer the moment of parting. The image of the husband, the object of the speaker’s love, is vividly brought forth in her mind’s eye. His presence and the emotions associated with him stir deep feelings of mourning within her. This image of her beloved husband becomes an obstacle or hindrance, obstructing her ascension to the skies, metaphorically representing the afterlife or heavenly realm.

But say, thou dearest, thou unwearied friend; I
Say, should'st thou grieve to see my sorrows end? I
Thou know'st a painful pilgrimage I've past ; J
And should'st thou grieve that rest is come at last? J

In these lines, the speaker addresses her husband, whom she holds dear and considers an unwavering friend. The term “unwearied” suggests that her husband has been tirelessly supportive, standing by her side through both sickness and health, never growing tired of being there for her. The speaker poses a rhetorical question to her husband, asking whether he would grieve to witness the end of her sorrows. This question acknowledges the pain and suffering she has endured throughout her life, likening it to a “painful pilgrimage.” The reference to a pilgrimage alludes to the spiritual journey and challenges depicted in John Bunyan’s renowned work, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”Now that the speaker has reached the end of her life’s journey, she implies that her husband should not grieve but instead find solace in the fact that her suffering has come to an end.

Rather rejoice to see me shake off life, K
And die as I have liv'd, thy faithful wife. K

In these lines, the speaker encourages her husband to let go of any sorrow or gloominess and instead find joy in witnessing her departure from life. She suggests that he should rejoice at her release from the burdens of earthly existence. Furthermore, the speaker expresses contentment in the way she has lived her life as a faithful wife to her husband. By saying, “And die as I have lived, thy faithful wife,” she affirms that her actions and devotion throughout her life have been dedicated to him.