The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti A variorum edition: Edited, with textual notes and introductions, by R. W. Crump |
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Burial Anthem. |
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 | The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti |  |
81
Burial Anthem.
Flesh of our flesh—bone of our bone—(For thou and we in Christ are one)
Thy soul unto its rest hath flown,
And thou has left us all alone
Our weary race to run
In doubt, and want, and sin, and pain,
Whilst thou wilt never sin again.
For us remaineth heaviness;
Thou never more shalt feel distress,
For thou hast found repose
Beside the bright eternal river
That clear and pure flows on for ever,
And sings as on it flows.
And it is better far for thee
To reach at once thy rest,
Than share with us earth's misery,
Or tainted joy at best;
Brother, we will not mourn for thee,
Although our hearts be weary
Of struggling with our enemy,
When all around is dreary.
But we will pray that still we may
Press onward in the narrow way
With a calm thankful resignation,
And joy in this our desolation.
And we will hope at length to be
With our Great Head, and, friend! with thee
Beside that river blest.
| The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti | |