Part 30 (1/2)

I.

A little mound of earth Is all the land I own: Death gave it me,--five feet by three, And mark'd it with a stone.

II.

My home, my garden-grave, Where most I long to go!

The ground is mine by right divine, And Heaven will have it so.

III.

For here my darling sleeps, Unseen,--arrayed in white,-- And o'er the gra.s.s the breezes pa.s.s, And stars look down at night.

IV.

Here Beauty, Love, and Joy, With her in silence dwell, As Eastern slaves are thrown in graves Of kings remember'd well.

V.

But here let no man come, My mourning rights to sever.

Who lieth here is cold and dumb.

Her dust is mine for ever!

[Ill.u.s.tration]

A DIRGE.

I.

Art thou lonely in thy tomb?

Art thou cold in such a gloom?

Rouse thee, then, and make me room,-- Miserere Domine!

II.

Phantoms vex thy virgin sleep, Nameless things around thee creep, Yet be patient, do not weep,-- Miserere Domine!

III.