Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A FUNERAL, by HENRY ALFORD



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A FUNERAL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Slowly and softly let the music go
Last Line: And streaks of orient light in time's horizon play.
Subject(s): Funerals; Burials


SLOWLY and softly let the music go,
As ye wind upwards to the gray church tower;
Check the shrill hautboy, let the pipe breathe low --
Tread lightly on the pathside daisy flower.
For she ye carry was a gentle bud,
Loved by the unsunn'd drops of silver dew;
Her voice was like the whisper of the wood
In prime of even, when the stars are few.
Lay her all gently in the flowerful mould,
Weep with her one brief hour; then turn away, --
Go to hope's prison, -- and from out the cold
And solitary gratings many a day
Look forth: 'tis said the world is growing old, --
And streaks of orient light in Time's horizon play.





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