A FUNERAL MARCH.
27
Is justified. Oh, why did they abide
This time, these restless ghosts, which glide,
Accompanying him? Can they go in
Unquestioned, and confront him in the grave,
And answers win
From dead lips which the live lips never gave?
Will they return across the churchyard gate
With us, weeping with us, "Too late! too late!"
Or are they dead, as he is dead?
And when the burial rites are said,
Will they lie down, the resurrection to await?
This time, these restless ghosts, which glide,
Accompanying him? Can they go in
Unquestioned, and confront him in the grave,
And answers win
From dead lips which the live lips never gave?
Will they return across the churchyard gate
With us, weeping with us, "Too late! too late!"
Or are they dead, as he is dead?
And when the burial rites are said,
Will they lie down, the resurrection to await?
III.
With dumb, pathetic look the poor beasts go
At unaccustomed pace to suit our woe;
Uncomprehending equally
Or what a grief or what a joy may be.
House after house where life makes glad
We bear him past, who all of life has had.
And men's and women's wistful eyes
Look out on us in sorrow and surprise,
For all men are of kin to one who dies.
At unaccustomed pace to suit our woe;
Uncomprehending equally
Or what a grief or what a joy may be.
House after house where life makes glad
We bear him past, who all of life has had.
And men's and women's wistful eyes
Look out on us in sorrow and surprise,
For all men are of kin to one who dies.
IV.
Eager the light grass bends
To let us pass, but springs again and waves
To hide our footsteps; not a flower saves
Its blossoming, or sends
One odor less, as we go by;
And never seemed the shining sky
To let us pass, but springs again and waves
To hide our footsteps; not a flower saves
Its blossoming, or sends
One odor less, as we go by;
And never seemed the shining sky
