Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HER EPITAPH, by THOMAS WILLIAM PARSONS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HER EPITAPH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The handful here, that once was mary's earth
Last Line: And love no longer be a thing to weep.


THE handful here, that once was Mary's earth,
Held, while it breathed, so beautiful a soul,
That, when she died, all recognized her birth,
And had their sorrow in serene control.

"Not here! not here!" to every mourner's heart
The wintry wind seemed whispering round her bier;

And when the tomb-door opened, with a start
We heard it echoed from within, --
"Not here!"

Shouldst thou, sad pilgrim, who mayst hither pass,
Note in these flowers a delicater hue,
Should spring come earlier to this hallowed grass,
Or the bee later linger on the dew, --

Know that her spirit to her body lent
Such sweetness, grace, as only goodness can;
That even her dust, and this her monument,
Have yet a spell to stay one lonely man, --

Lonely through life, but looking for the day
When what is mortal of himself shall sleep,
When human passion shall have passed away,
And Love no longer be a thing to weep.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net