 | The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley |  |
1297
DEAD, MY LORDS
Dead, my lords and gentlemen!—
Stilled the tongue, and stayed the pen;
Cheek unflushed and eye unlit—
Done with life, and glad of it.
Stilled the tongue, and stayed the pen;
Cheek unflushed and eye unlit—
Done with life, and glad of it.
Curb your praises now as then:
Dead, my lords and gentlemen.—
What he wrought found its reward
In the tolerance of the Lord.
Dead, my lords and gentlemen.—
What he wrought found its reward
In the tolerance of the Lord.
Ye who fain had barred his path,
Dread ye now this look he hath?—
Dead, my lords and gentlemen—
Dare yet not smile back again?
Dread ye now this look he hath?—
Dead, my lords and gentlemen—
Dare yet not smile back again?
Low he lies, yet high and great
Looms he, lying thus in state.—
How exalted o'er ye when
Dead, my lords and gentlemen!
Looms he, lying thus in state.—
How exalted o'er ye when
Dead, my lords and gentlemen!
| The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley | |