We wept Humanity must weep, So nature dropped a tear; Then pictured we his shroudless corse, Stretched on his grassy bier. We saw a gentle comrade's hand Press lightly on his head; Then with his fellow-soldiers make The warrior's narrow bed. No manufactured pomp of death Bedecked his coffin rude; His mourners were those bleeding hearts Which heaped the field of blood. A carriage borrowed from the war His cap upon the coffin rode, His sword across the lid. No muffled drum, no funeral pall, Salute, nor solemn knell Told how they sorrowed o'er their loss But tears, and one Farewell. A little mound we saw them raise, Upon that broken slope; Then weeping go to bind and soothe Full many a kindred deed that day Whilst war roared out a requiem, As gun replied to gun. No flow'ret there may crown their graves, As our sweet daisies do; But this our Fatherland hath sworn Peace, lady,-thou hast done thy partA son thou hadst to give : Now England writes his epitaph "He died that I might live." THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY TO HIS FRIENDS. ONE farewell word he fain would say, If he of flowers has sung to you, Or tears that from the eyelids roll, The wildest flowers that scent the air, He loved them all-the meanest thing THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY TO HIS FRIENDS. 187 The maiden in her blushing pride; An infant gambolling by her side; Her husband all her heart's desire; For the young bride o'er yonder bier; |