Poems (Eckley)/"Good-bye" at the Gate

by Sophia May Eckley

"GOOD-BYE" AT THE GATE. TO ALICE.

OOD-BYE," she said, and left the gate—
Just then a funeral passed in state—
"Good-bye," I sighed, as moved the train:
Alas! the dead come not back again
       To say to us "Good-bye."

"Good-bye " once more I answered her;
That face, that voice, again will cheer—
The dead—the dead I do not mean,
To their loved they'll not return again—
       They've said their last "Good-bye."

With funeral pomp and hired woe,
Behold the mutes that are paid to go,
With as many plumes as hearse can hold,
If the dead provide the funeral gold
       To gild their last "Good-bye."

Can worldly pomp and waving plume,
With hired mourners to the tomb,
Keep up the rank of the stricken dead,
Where prince and beggar are equal laid,
       When each has said "Good-bye?"

Thus parted we,—perchance awhile
To muse with graver brow and smile—
Yet as the plum'd hearse past the gate,
With one more look compassionate,
       She softly said "Good-bye."

"Good-bye! Good-bye!" I answered back;
Earth's two extremes meet on life's track,
I've shut the gate on the loved, the pure,
Death opens his for one soul more,
       And each has said "Good-bye."

Bath; March 24th, 1862.