Poems (Holley)/Gone Before
GONE BEFORE.
Fold the handsGently o'er the silent heart,Soft palms nevermore to part From their quiet rest;Ne'er to cling to broken reeds,Plucking flowers to find them weeds;Ne'er to raise in anguished prayer,Nor to clasp in wild despairO'er a heart that bleeds;Softly o'er the peaceful breast, Fold the hands.
Close the eyes;Loving eyes of softest blue,Tender eyes of Heaven's own hue, Close in sleep.Sleep thee, darling, through the night,Dreaming fancies blest and bright,Visions bathed in heavenly day,Ne'er to fade and melt awayIn the morning light;Dear eyes, nevermore to weep, Close in sleep.
Smooth the hair;Silken waves of sunny brownLay upon the white brow down,Crowned with blossoms rare;Lilies on a golden stream,Ne'er to fall in tendrils brightOn her shoulders bare and white;Ne'er to float in summer airWreathed with meadow daisies fair.Lay away the broken crownAnd your broken dream,With one shining tress of hair,Nevermore to need your care.