Poems (Hoffman)/Alice
For works with similar titles, see Alice.
ALICE
To the white stone that 'neath its lily crestBears thy sweet name in silent marble cut,I come, dear sister, now a transient guest,To the dim portals that forever shutYour face from sight, your hand from Love's warm hold,Your gentle voice that mist-like hovers near;O Earth, guard well our treasure, more than goldIs the fair jewel that thou keepest here!Love for her lost comes here with no vague quest,But only waits the waking from thy rest.Lighter her hands grasped Earth's decaying things,While stronger grew her Soul's immortal wings;O Grave, thou holdest but the mortal dustOf her we loved, whom we shall ever love,Safe in the beauty of her living trust!