COME near! Ere yet the dust Soil the bright paleness of the settled brow, Look on your brother; and embrace him now, In still and solemn trust! Come near! -- once more let kindred lips be pressed On his cold cheek; then bear him to his rest! Look yet on this young face! What shall the beauty, from amongst us gone, Leave of its image, even where most it shone, Gladdening its hearth and race? Dim grows the semblance on man's heart impressed. Come near, and bear the beautiful to rest! Ye weep, and it is well! For tears befit earth's partings! Yesterday, Song was upon the lips of this pale clay, And sunshine seemed to dwell Where'er he moved -- the welcome and the blessed. Now gaze! and bear the silent unto rest! Look yet on him whose eye Meets yours no more, in sadness or in mirth. Was he not fair amidst the sons of earth, The beings born to die? -- But not where death has power may love be blessed. Come near! and bear ye the beloved to rest! How may the mother's heart Dwell on her son, and dare to hope again? The spring's rich promise hath been given in vain -- The lovely must depart! Is he not gone, our brightest and our best? Come near! and bear the early called to rest! Look on him! Is he laid To slumber from the harvest or the chase? -- Too still and sad the smile upon his face; Yet that, even that must fade: Death holds not long unchanged his fairest guest. Come near! and bear the mortal to his rest! His voice of mirth hath ceased Amidst the vineyards! there is left no place For him whose dust receives your vain embrace, At the gay bridal-feast! Earth must take earth to moulder on her breast. Come near! weep o'er him! bear him to his rest. Yet mourn ye not as they Whose spirit's light is quenched! For him the past Is sealed: he may not fall, he may not cast His birthright's hope away! All is not here of our beloved and blessed. Leave ye the sleeper with his God to rest! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SCRIBE by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE TO ALISON CUNNINGHAM; FROM HER BOY by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON REMINISCENCE by LYLE BARTSCHER STEEL OR GOLD?; THE QUESTION by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON THIRD REUNION POEM by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |