Poems (Blake)/In Memoriam (Mrs. Edwin Booth)

by Mary Elizabeth Blake

IN MEMORIAM.  (MRS. EDWIN BOOTH. FEBRUARY 20, 1863.)

          Kiss her good-night!
Then let the waiting angel take her hand
To lead her feet across the shining strand
Where life, serene and beautiful, awaits
The coming guest before the golden gates!
          Kiss her good-night!

          Close the dear eyes
That never more shall fill with unshed tears,
Or dim before the fading touch of years,
But bright with light eternal, from above
Shall guide the treasures of her earthly love.

          Smooth the soft hair,
And fold above the silence of the breast
Palm touching palm, her quiet hands to rest,
Fair hands that through all change of good or ill
Still wove the sunshine of her Master's will.

          Wreathe the white brow
In blossoms pure and sweet as her young life,
Which crowned the names of maiden and of wife
With all of loveliness that God hath given
To win the trust of earth, the crown of heaven.

          Then lead him here!
The husband of her soul, whose swift feet came
With eager heart on fire and eyes aflame,
Yet all too late to catch the failing breath,
Or touch her lips before the kiss of death.

          Kiss her good-night;
She sleeps to wake beneath those fairer skies
Whose light shall chase the shadows from her eyes;
Where, soon or late, all passing terror scorning
Her lips will greet us with a glad "Good Morning!"

          Kiss her good-night!