Poems (Storrie)/In Memoriam
For works with similar titles, see In Memoriam.
In Memoriam.
The earth, the old familiar earth That I have trod so long, Stepping with cheeriness and mirth Among a friendly throng.
This earth is of a sudden made A hallowed place to me By the dear dead within it laid In quiet majesty.
Oh! dear familar earth with rich Green mantle overspread, Hold gently in his narrow niche My own beloved dead.
Oh! dear familiar earth, bestrew Thy verdure where he lies, And let some sweet wild blossoms through To link him with the skies.
And let the wind, with tireless tone In blast, or balmiest air Chant a Te Deum of its own, A never-ending prayer.
To thee, oh! Mother Earth, to thee And thy great heart I give This dear dust that is part of me, That lit the life I live.
His dust to thee I give, yet turn From thy kind, sheltering sod And, through his risen soul discern With clearer eyes, my God.