Poems (Hale)/The early Dead
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THE EARLY DEAD.
Flowers for the early dead!
The rose, the lily, and the violet bring,
Around their quiet resting-place to shed,—
A precious offering.
The rose, the lily, and the violet bring,
Around their quiet resting-place to shed,—
A precious offering.
Joy for the early dead!
Joy for the meed of perfect rapture given,
Earth's phantom flash before that beam has fled,
Full-orbed and bright, of heaven.
Joy for the meed of perfect rapture given,
Earth's phantom flash before that beam has fled,
Full-orbed and bright, of heaven.
Smiles for the early dead!
We grieve not when, his day of labor o'er,
The weary peasant bows his fainting head
At his low cottage door.
We grieve not when, his day of labor o'er,
The weary peasant bows his fainting head
At his low cottage door.
Tears for the early dead!
The bright and beautiful from earth set free:
Yes! drop upon their flower-encircled bed
Tears of sweet ecstasy.
The bright and beautiful from earth set free:
Yes! drop upon their flower-encircled bed
Tears of sweet ecstasy.
Prayers for the early dead!
Of fervent thanksgiving and holy trust,
Through Him, the Conqueror over death, be said,
Above their sleeping dust.
Of fervent thanksgiving and holy trust,
Through Him, the Conqueror over death, be said,
Above their sleeping dust.
Songs for the early dead!
Wherewith to cheer the heart of sorrowing love.
They sweep their golden harps with those who tread
Celestial courts above.
Wherewith to cheer the heart of sorrowing love.
They sweep their golden harps with those who tread
Celestial courts above.
Thus crown the early dead,
Whose grave is even as a hallowed shrine.
With all pure things and bright their names are wed,
In union most divine.
Whose grave is even as a hallowed shrine.
With all pure things and bright their names are wed,
In union most divine.