Summary

Brontë begins with a description of her feelings. She feels “There’s little joy in life for me” and simultaneously finds “little terror in the grave” (1-2). She then reveals the reason for her feelings of despondency. Her beloved sister, Anne, who “[Brontë] would have died to save,” is no longer alive following their “parting hour” (3-4).

Following this first reference to Anne’s death, Brontë recounts the experience of sitting by her deathbed. She explains how she “Calmly watch[es] the failing breath” of her sister (5). She also explains her thoughts in response to Anne’s gradual decline. She “[wishes] each sigh might be the last” and “[longs] to see the shade of death” come over Anne (6-8).

Brontë then describes the expected religious response to her sister’s death. She is “to thank God from my heart; / To thank Him well and...