 | Lays for the Dead |  |
34
LINES,
SUPPOSED TO BE ADDRESSED BY A BRAZILIAN TO THE MESSENGER BIRD, WHO COMES, AS THE BRAZILIAN BELIEVES, FROM THE LAND OF SPIRITS.
When shalt thou wing to the spirit land
Thy glad return thou bird?
Await from us some fond command,
And bear some greeting word.
Thy glad return thou bird?
Await from us some fond command,
And bear some greeting word.
Some word of love to friends who are
At rest on the spirit shore;
And say that those still mourning here,
Are glad they mourn no more.
At rest on the spirit shore;
And say that those still mourning here,
Are glad they mourn no more.
35
Are glad that theirs are fadeless flowers,
And youth's returning bloom;
And joys that can no more be ours,
In this vain world of gloom.
And youth's returning bloom;
And joys that can no more be ours,
In this vain world of gloom.
Yet say, we hope those lov'd on earth
They do not quite forget,
Who think of them in grief or mirth,
With faithful and fond regret.
They do not quite forget,
Who think of them in grief or mirth,
With faithful and fond regret.
And though parents there may the child forget,
On earth their joy and pride;
The child's fond tears will be flowing yet,
When the parents' eyes are dried.
On earth their joy and pride;
The child's fond tears will be flowing yet,
When the parents' eyes are dried.
And welcome bird of the shadowy wing
Art thou to this earthly shore,
With thee thou seemst the charm to bring,
Of hours we know no more.
Art thou to this earthly shore,
With thee thou seemst the charm to bring,
Of hours we know no more.
36
Thou com'st from those we lov'd the best,
And each voice most dear hast heard;
Then bear our message, thou welcome guest,
But soon return, sweet bird!
And each voice most dear hast heard;
Then bear our message, thou welcome guest,
But soon return, sweet bird!
| Lays for the Dead | |