Rosemary and Pansies/Afterwards (When I am dead do not weep)
For works with similar titles, see Afterwards.
AFTERWARDS
IWhen I am dead do not weep, For death is the least of all ills, But say—Let him tranquilly sleep The sleep that all agony stills; He watched the strange pageant of life Through many wonderful years; He has done now with passion and strife, He has done now with hopes and with fears.
IIRejoice that I lived if you will, But oh! for my death never grieve, For then naught can touch me that's ill, And no loss can my spirit bereave: While we live joy is shadowed with fear, And pleasure is purchased with pain; Whatever to us is most dear Fate forbids us to reach or retain.
IIIWhen I am dead make no moan O'er my unfulfilled hopes of renown, Nor regret that the seeds I had sown Never grew, or by storms were struck down; You may say that I kept to the last My hate of oppression and wrong; That to faith in the truth I held fast, And loved ever the wise, not the strong.
IVYet when I am dead you may weep If you will, a few tears of relief, Not too bitter, or burning, or deep— Just a sign of unmurmuring grief: And then you shall say—Let him rest; He strove though he did not attain; He suffered, yet was not unblest: Unflinching he fought life's campaign.
July 1901