Ebony and Crystal/Requiescat In Pace
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
White iris on thy bier,With the white rose, we strew,And lotus pale or blueAs moonlight on the orient mountain-snows.
Slumber, as they that sleepIn the slow sands unknown,Or under seas that zoneWith lulling foam the sealed, extremer lands.
Slumber, with songless birdsThat sang, and sang to death,Giving their gladder breathTo lonely winds in one melodious pang.
Sleep, with the golden queensOf planets long forgot,Whose fire-soft lips are notRecalled by any sorcery of song.
Sleep, with the flowers that were,And any leaf that fellOn field or flowerless dellIn autumns lost of memory and grief.
Pass, with the music flownFrom ivory lyre, and luteOf mellow string left muteIn cities desolate ere the dream of Tyre.
Pass, with the clouds that sankIn sunset turned to greyOn some Edenic dayFor which the exiled years have ever yearned.
White iris on thy bier,With the white rose, we strew,And lotus pale or blueAs moonlight on the orient mountain-snows.