Poems (Eckley)/Sepulchral Monument
HE maid has dropped her rosary with life,
The beads of Time have fallen one by one,
As from her languid hand the string too soon
Had slipped—thus broke the silver thread of life.
Chained in her marble sleep, the maiden lies;
Aye, marble chiselled into mocking death—
Within the peaceful Chapel naught but breath
From golden censers in soft clouds upflies,
And floats in scented zephyrs round the bier;
Or chant, or organ-peal, or whispered prayer,
Or Benediction moves the hallowed air,
From lip of devotee and chorister.
Marble oft seems to breathe with life, but here
Sublimely fell asleep when death drew near.
SEPULCHRAL MONUMENT,
(BY MISS HOSMER)In the Church of St. Andréa delle Frate, Rome.
HE maid has dropped her rosary with life,The beads of Time have fallen one by one,
As from her languid hand the string too soon
Had slipped—thus broke the silver thread of life.
Chained in her marble sleep, the maiden lies;
Aye, marble chiselled into mocking death—
Within the peaceful Chapel naught but breath
From golden censers in soft clouds upflies,
And floats in scented zephyrs round the bier;
Or chant, or organ-peal, or whispered prayer,
Or Benediction moves the hallowed air,
From lip of devotee and chorister.
Marble oft seems to breathe with life, but here
Sublimely fell asleep when death drew near.