She fell asleep among the flowers In the sober Autumn hours. Three there are about her bed, At her side and feet and head. At her head standeth the Cross For which all else she counted loss: Still and steadfast at her feet Doth her Guardian Angel sit: Prayers of truest love abide Wrapping her on every side. The Holy Cross standeth alone, Beneath the white moon, whitest stone. Evil spirits come not near Its shadow, shielding from all fear; Once she bore it in her breast, Now it certifies her rest. Humble violets grow around Its base, sweetening the grassy ground, Leaf-hidden; so she hid from praise Of men her pious holy ways. Higher about it, twining close, Clingeth a crimson thorny rose; So from her heart's good seed of love Thorns sprang below, flowers spring above. Tho' yet his vigil doth not cease, Her Angel sits in perfect peace, With white folded wings; for she He watches, now is pure as he. He watches with his loving eyes For the day when she shall rise; When full of glory and of grace She shall behold him face to face. Tho' she is safe for ever, yet Human love doth not forget; But prays that in her deep Grave she may sleep a blessed sleep, Till when time and the world are past She may find mercy at the last. So these three do hedge her in From sorrow as death does from sin. So freed from earthly taint and pain May they all meet in Heaven. Amen. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON A VIRTUOUS YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN THAT DIED SUDDENLY by WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT FOUR PRELUDES ON PLAYTHINGS OF THE WIND by CARL SANDBURG THE FORSAKEN by C. HAMILTON AIDE IN MEMORIAM, NINTH OF AB by BEN AVROM EPITAPH: JOHN TROT by WILLIAM BLAKE THE GOLDEN AGE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE BALLAD TO THE TUNE - 'THAT WE MAY ROW WITH MY P. OVER YE FERRY' by PATRICK CAREY |