A LONELY grave hard by the prison wall, No loving hand to lay a simple flower, No heart-wrung tear upon the sod may fall That shrouds the victim of a tyrant's power. Yet all the world in spirit kneels and weeps, And fragrant blooms of sympathy are spread Dewy with tears, for her who lowly sleeps 'Neath alien skies till God shall wake His dead. She would not stoop to lie. Her fleeting breath Was spent for Truth in sacrifice complete, Noble in life, but nobler far in Death Whose darkness gathered thick about her feet. But not in vain she died: the pale cold hand Has lit in every heart a torch of flame; Has forged for manhood's arm a keener brand For us to wield in Justice's sacred name. Her gentle soul forgave the bitter wrong. Implacate, Justice claims her lawful meed Thro' us who love her, for that lonely grave, Else Britain's honour were a broken reed. Farewell, great soul, for you the sombre glade Held nought of terror; 'twas a dreamless night Whose morn should rise triumphant, and the shade Of earth and sorrow pale before its light. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHIMNEY SWEEPER, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT DOWN AND WEPT by GEORGE GORDON BYRON THE MASTER-PLAYER by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR EXHORTATION TO PRAYER by MARGARET MERCER REFUGE by WILLIAM HERVEY ALLEN JR. |