Classic Poem

Go to your peaceful rest,
Friends of a brighter hour,
Jewels on youthful beauty's breast,
Lights of the hall and bower.
Well have ye borne your part,
Fair children of the sky,
We'll keep your memory in our heart
When low in dust you lie.

Your gladness in our joy,
Your smile beside our way,
Your gentle service round the bed
Of sickness and decay,
Your rainbow on the cloud,
Your sympathy in pain —
We'll keep the memory of your deeds
Until we meet again.

Rest from the blush of love,
Rest from the blight of care,
From the sweet nursing of your buds,
And from the nipping air;
Rest from the fever-thirst
Of summer's noontide heat,
From coiling worm, and rifling hand
That vex'd your lone retreat.

If e'er ye thrill'd with pride
When the admirer knelt,
Or on the lowly look'd with scorn
Which man for man hath felt;
If through your bosoms pure
Hath aught like evil flow'd,
Since folly may with angels dwell,
Rest from that painful load.

But not with grief or fear
Bow down the drooping head;
See, in the chambers of your birth
Your dying couch is spread.
Go, strong in faith, ye flowers,
Strong in your guileless trust
With Spring's awakening trump to rise
Above imprisoning dust.