And he hes now tane, last of aw, Gud Maister Walter Kennedy, Sen he hes all my Brether tane, Sen for the Deid remeid is non, William Dunbar, 1465?-1530? TO SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER ["Flowers of Sion. By William Drummond, of HawthorneDenne." 1623.] Though I have twice been at the doors of death, If thou e'er held me dear, by all our love, Here Damon lies, whose songs did sometime grace CHARGE TO JULIA AT HIS DEATH [From "Hesperides, or The Works both Humane and Divine of Robert Herrick, Esq.," 1648.] Dearest of thousands, now the time draws near Over my turf, when I am buried. Then for effusions,* let none wanting be, Or other rites that do belong to me; As love shall help thee, when thou dost go hence Unto thy everlasting residence. Robert Herrick, 1591-1674. ELEGY On a Lady, whom Grief for the Death of her [Poems, 1873.] Assemble, all ye maidens, at the door, The days of her betrothal over, Leaves the parental hearth for evermore; To-night the bride goes forth to meet her lover. Reach down the wedding vesture, that has lain Bring out the bracelets, and the golden chain And set it on her forehead lightly Though it be withered, twine no wreath again; This only is the crown she can wear rightly. Cloke her in ermine, for the night is cold, May lay her in her cedar litter, Decking her coverlet with sprigs of gold, Sound flute and tabor, that the bridal be With lesser intervals, and plaintive moan And all in choir, the virgin voices Rest not from singing in skilled harmony Let the priests go before, arrayed in white, Each singing soft and low, And each on high a torch upstaying: Unto her lover lead her forth with light, With music, and with singing, and with praying. 'Twas at this sheltering hour he nightly came, And found her trusty window open wide, And knew the signal of the timorous flame, That long the restless curtain would not hide Her form that stood beside; As scarce she dared to be delighted, Listening to that sweet tale, that is no shame To faithful lovers, that their hearts have plig1 ted. But now for many days the dewy grass In vain has she looked out to greet him; Now to the river bank the priests are come: And sing her a safe passage over; And thou, O lover, that art on the watch, Robert Bridges. TO BIANCA [Hesperides, or The Works Both Humane and Divine of Robert Herrick, Esq., 1648.] Ah, Bianca! now I see, It is noon and past with me: With my face towards the East. * FATE! I HAVE ASKED [The Works of Walter Savage Landor, 1846.] No more then con thy task. If one be left on earth so late Tell her I leave the noisy feast Amid its pleasures few possessed Tell her with steady pace to come To throw the freshest on the tomb, When it has caught her sigh. Outpourings or libations. |