Poems (Piatt)/Volume 2/Requiescat
For works with similar titles, see Requiescat.
REQUIESCAT.
Lie still. You need not love nor gold Nor name, to make the sum complete.The world no living hand may hold Falls at a dead man's feet.
Lie still. You climbed for flowers, and found They grow not well in highest air.Lie still: the rock, the thorn, the wound Were yours;—you had your share.
Lie still. This is the end, they say. Lie still. The peasant and the king,A little weary, walk this way; The bride leaves here her ring.
Your virtues? Though the priest speak true, You need not blush—your face is hid.The roses life denied to you Are on your coffin lid.