"IF I die first," my old chum paused to say, "Mind! not a whimper of regret: -- instead, Laugh and be glad, as I shall. -- Being dead, I shall not lodge so very far away But that our mirth shall mingle. -- So, the day The word comes, joy with me." "I'll try," I said, Though, even speaking, sighed and shook my head And turned, with misted eyes. His roundelay Rang gaily on the stair; and then the door Opened and -- closed. . . . Yet something of the clear, Hale hope, and force of whole-some faith he had Abided with me -- strengthened more and more. -- Then -- then they brought his broken body here: And I laughed -- whisperingly -- and we were glad. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MIDNIGHT SKATERS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE TEMPER (1) by GEORGE HERBERT THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 54. LOVE'S FATALITY by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI TO A CONTEMPORARY BUNKSHOOTER by CARL SANDBURG THE WOOD OF FLOWERS by JAMES STEPHENS MY PRAYER by HENRY DAVID THOREAU TO MR. MONTGOMERY; OCCASIONED BY ... ATTACK ON HIS POEMS by LUCY AIKEN |