 | Later Lays and Lyrics |  |
BURIAL OF BIRDIE.
I.
It was meet that one so sweetShould be drest in bridal white
When her heart had ceased to beat,
And her orbs had closed in night.
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And like one asleep she lay
While a pale and sorrowing band
Wept for Beauty passed away.
II.
It was meet that one so sweet,Dead should wear the robes of life,
Not the ghastly winding sheet
Making death with terror rife.
Golden brown the silken hair
On the rounded temples fell,
And like work of sculptor rare
Was the face we loved so well.
III.
It was meet that one so sweetFrom the war of life should flee,
And with golden-sandaled feet
Walk where roars no angry sea.
Dead? our Birdie is not dead!
In that box lies beauteous clay,
But her cherub soul hath fled
To the Land of Light away.
IV.
It is meet that dust so sweetShould in May be laid to rest,
And that form with grace replete,
In a stainless garb be drest.
With a longing in her heart
For her Heavenly Father's fold,
She was destined to depart
Early from a clime so cold.
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V.
It is meet that one so sweet,Loaned to dark earth for a day,
Back to Heaven, her native seat,
Like a bird should wing her way.
Let no dismal dirge be sung,
No chill ritual be read,
When the beautiful and young
To their Father's House have fled.
VI.
It was meet that one so sweetWhen she heard the Angels call
Should her mother's name repeat,
And escape from mortal thrall.
Let this casket, doomed to waste,
Gently to damp mould be given
While the jewel it encased
Glitters in the crown of Heaven!
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