Page:Poems Curwen.djvu/188

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Under the roses a still form sleeps,
 Under the roses faded and brown,
Under the withering tree that keeps
 Watch, while its sere leaves are flutt'ring down;
And, "Which is the saddest?" asks Nature of me,"
The withered life, or the withered tree?"

"Under the roses," Faith whispers slowly,"
 Under the roses that never fade,
In the light that shines from the 'Holy
 Of Holies,' I see the glorified maid;
Fair was the mortal, but fairer is she
In the beauty of Immortality."

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A Farewell.

It may be we shall never meet again,
 The parting kisses which I leave to-night
Upon your cheek and brow will there remain,
 Till we clasp hands again in God's own sight.

And so I do not grieve to say "farewell,"
 Because I know that I shall recognise
The dear old face that I have loved so well,
 When we two meet again in Paradise.

I have no fear but I shall find you there,
 No doubt of the existence of that Land;
And I shall know you by your silver hair,
 Your eyes, your smile, your tender clinging hand.

So "God be with you till we meet again,"
 And, since the All Wise has ordained it so,
I will not with regret make parting pain,
 But kiss you dear old friend—and let you go.