 | The silver bridge and other poems |  |
117
YEARS AFTER.
I know the years have rolled across thy grave
Till it has grown a plot of level grass,—
All summer does its green luxuriance wave
In silken shimmer on thy breast, alas!
And all the winter it is lost to sight
Beneath a winding-sheet of chilly white.
Till it has grown a plot of level grass,—
All summer does its green luxuriance wave
In silken shimmer on thy breast, alas!
And all the winter it is lost to sight
Beneath a winding-sheet of chilly white.
I know the precious name I loved so much
Is heard no more the haunts of men among;
The tree thou plantedst has outgrown thy touch,
And sings to alien ears its murmuring song;
The lattice-rose forgets thy tendance sweet,
The air thy laughter, and the sod thy feet.
Is heard no more the haunts of men among;
The tree thou plantedst has outgrown thy touch,
And sings to alien ears its murmuring song;
The lattice-rose forgets thy tendance sweet,
The air thy laughter, and the sod thy feet.
Through the dear wood where grew thy violets,
Lies the worn track of travel, toil, and trade;
And steam's imprisoned demon fumes and frets
With shrieks that scare the wild bird from the shade;
Mills vex the lazy stream, and on its shore
The timid harebell swings its chimes no more.
Lies the worn track of travel, toil, and trade;
And steam's imprisoned demon fumes and frets
With shrieks that scare the wild bird from the shade;
Mills vex the lazy stream, and on its shore
The timid harebell swings its chimes no more.
118
But yet—even yet—if I, grown changed and old,
Should lift my eyes at opening of the door,
And see again thy fair head's waving gold,
And meet thy dear eyes' tender smile once more,
These years of parting like a night would seem,
And I should say, “I knew it was a dream!”
Should lift my eyes at opening of the door,
And see again thy fair head's waving gold,
And meet thy dear eyes' tender smile once more,
These years of parting like a night would seem,
And I should say, “I knew it was a dream!”
| The silver bridge and other poems | |