The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
![]() | I. |
![]() | II. |
![]() | III. |
![]() | IV. |
![]() | V. |
![]() | VI. |
![]() | VII. |
![]() | VIII. |
![]() | IX. |
![]() | X. |
![]() | XI. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
“IF BUT THE DEAD WERE LIFTED QUITE”
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() | The Poetical Works of George Barlow | ![]() |
32
“IF BUT THE DEAD WERE LIFTED QUITE”
If but the dead were lifted quite
To some glad land of heavenly air;
If they could vanish—all that once they were
At one swift stroke be riven from mortal sight;
To some glad land of heavenly air;
If they could vanish—all that once they were
At one swift stroke be riven from mortal sight;
Then...then we might revere
The hand that fashioned, and the hand that slew:
Then might we say, “The loving soul we knew
Lives on, loves on,—no trace of it is here.”
The hand that fashioned, and the hand that slew:
Then might we say, “The loving soul we knew
Lives on, loves on,—no trace of it is here.”
Alas! a trace remains.
Death doing so much, left still his task undone.
Death paused,—and left a mandate to the rains,
The frosts, the snows of years—the storms, the sun!
Death doing so much, left still his task undone.
Death paused,—and left a mandate to the rains,
The frosts, the snows of years—the storms, the sun!
May 16, 1892.
![]() | The Poetical Works of George Barlow | ![]() |