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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LILIAN ADELAIDE NEILSON, by CLEMENT WILLIAM SCOTT Poet's Biography First Line: What shall my gift be to the dead one Last Line: Place humbly on her grave -- this leaf of verse! Subject(s): Neilson, Lilian Adelaide (1848-1880) | |||
WHAT shall my gift be to the dead one lying Wrapp'd in the mantle of her mother earth? No tear, no voice, no prayer, or any sighing, Gives back her face made beautiful by birth. Honor was due to one whose soul was tender, Whose nature quicken'd at the touch of art; Now that the struggle's over, God will send her Mercy and peace to soothe her troubled heart. Tears will be shed; for who dare raise the finger Of scorn when all is buried in the grave? Some pity near her memory will linger: Upon life's stormy sea she toss'd -- a wave! Life's weary hill she bravely fell in breasting, Her work was done; "Oh, take me home," she sighs; Whisper it low, she sleeps not, "she is resting," -- So fell the curtain, and she clos'd her eyes. The flowers she lov'd will deck the cross that shows us Where all remains of what was once so fair. Yes! she is dead, but still, perhaps, she knows us Who say "Implora pace!" for our prayer. They gave love's playthings, who were wont to win her, As Juliet coax'd to happiness her nurse; But I, who knew the goodness that was in her, Place humbly on her grave -- this leaf of verse! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A LOST LETTER by CLEMENT WILLIAM SCOTT BRIGHTON PIER by CLEMENT WILLIAM SCOTT RUS IN URBE by CLEMENT WILLIAM SCOTT A BIT OF SKY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TIME AND THE PERFUME RIVER by KAREN SWENSON ON THE DEATH OF MR. PURCELL by JOHN DRYDEN ULTIMA THULE: THE CHAMBER OVER THE GATE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW TO MY CHILDREN: 3 by DOLLIE CAROLINE MAITLAND RADFORD LE MARAIS DU CYNGE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER MY PRAYER FOR TODAY by MAUD AKERS |
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