Low she lies, who blest our eyes Through many a sunny day; She may not smile, she will not rise -- The life hath past away! Yet there is a world of light beyond, Where we neither die nor sleep -- She is @3there@1, of whom our souls were fond Then wherefore do we weep? The heart is cold, whose thoughts were told In each glance of her glad bright eye; And she lies pale, who was so bright, She scarce seem'd made to die. Yet we know that her soul is happy now, Where the saints their calm watch keep; That angels are crowning that fair young brow -- Then wherefore do we weep? Her laughing voice made all rejoice, Who caught the happy sound; There was gladness in her very step, As it lightly touch'd the ground. The echoes of voice and step are gone; There is silence still and deep: Yet we know she sings by God's bright throne -- Then wherefore do we weep? The cheek's pale tinge, the lid's dark fringe, That lies like a shadow there, Were beautiful in the eyes of all -- And her glossy golden hair! But though that lid may never wake From its dark and dreamless sleep, She is gone were young hearts do not break -- Then wherefore do we weep? That world of light with joy is bright, @3This@1 is a world of wo: Shall we grieve that her soul hath taken flight, Because we dwell below? We will bury her under the mossy sod, And one long bright tress we'll keep; We have only given her back to God -- Ah! wherefore do we weep? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JOHN WILKES BOOTH AT THE FARM (JANUARY 12, 1848) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE FUNERAL OF YOUTH: THRENODY by RUPERT BROOKE WELCOME by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) THE FLOWER OF FINAE by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS TO ONE IN BEDLAM by ERNEST CHRISTOPHER DOWSON A WARRIOR'S PRAYER by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |