Poems (Hooper)/In the Graveyard
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For works with similar titles, see In the Graveyard.
IN THE GRAVEYARD.
FROM THE GERMAN OF VOGL.
Beim Todtengraber pocht es an.
"Gray gravedigger, come out, come out!"
Thus at the door came knock and shout.
Thus at the door came knock and shout.
"Take now thy staff and come," one cries;
"Must show me where a dear grave lies."
"Must show me where a dear grave lies."
A bearded stranger speaketh there,
Embrowned and rough with warlike air.
Embrowned and rough with warlike air.
"How name you the beloved dead
That I within the grave have laid?"
That I within the grave have laid?"
"It is my mother; thou hast not
The face of Martha's son forgot?"
The face of Martha's son forgot?"
"God help us; thou'rt so tall and brown,
Thy face I never would have known."
Thy face I never would have known."
"But come, my friend, come here with me,
This is the spot thou fain wouldst see."
This is the spot thou fain wouldst see."
"With sod and stone above her breast,
Thy mother lieth here at rest."
Thy mother lieth here at rest."
The soldier stands; no word is said;
Upon his breast he bows his head.
Upon his breast he bows his head.
He stands and looks, with tear-dimmed eyes,
On that dear grave that lowly lies;
On that dear grave that lowly lies;
Then slow he speaks, and shakes his head:
"Thou'rt wrong—here sleepeth not my dead.
"Thou'rt wrong—here sleepeth not my dead.
"This space so narrow, small, and cold,
A mother's love could never hold."
A mother's love could never hold."