The Hearse-Horse by Bliss Carman
The speaker reflects on the somber task of a hearse-horse, carrying the dead to their final resting place. The horse's strength and endurance are contrasted with the fragility of human life.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Canadian Literature · 193 words
First lines
Said the hearse-horse to the coffin, "What the devil have you there? I may trot from court to square, Yet it neither swears nor groans, When I jolt it over stones. " Said the coffin to the hearse-horse, "Bones! "
Said the hearse-horse to the coffin, "What the devil have you there, With that purple frozen stare? Where the devil has it been To get that shadow grin? " Said the coffin to the hearse-horse, "Skin! "
Said the hearse-horse to the coffin, "What the devil have you there? It has fingers, it has hair; Yet it neither kicks nor squirms At the undertaker's terms. " Said the coffin to the hearse-horse, "Worms! "
What this Textopian page supports
The Hearse-Horse is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Bliss Carman
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Canadian Literature
- Length: 193 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hearse-Horse by Bliss Carman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Hearse-Horse?
- How does this poem by Bliss Carman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- My Lord Poet by Ambrose Bierce
- The Grave Tree by Bliss Carman
- Mirage by Bliss Carman
- Down Among The Dead Men by Ambrose Bierce
- Clausurada Sellada by Jaime Sabines
- A Transposition by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Poetry — Bliss Carman is known for his poetic composition style, and this work follows that tradition.
- Canadian Literature — As Bliss Carman is a celebrated Canadian author, his works figure prominently in the Canadian literary canon.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · fantasy · mystery · thriller · death · grief · loss · sadness · melancholy · irony