Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By WallaceRice

1483 Immortal Flowers

OF old, a man who died

Had, in his pride,

Woman and steed and slave

Heaped at his grave;

Given this sudden end

Their souls to send,

Still serving, witherward

Their lord had fared.

Grown wiser, we, to-day,

A happier way

Find for our love and grief

And death’s relief:

Flowers their fragrance strew

Where he must go,

Gladden the narrow gate

Whereat we wait.

And there be those of us

Who! amorous

Of life and hope, can see

How gleefully

He, lonely, greets beyond

These flowers so fond,

Even as our common doom

Saddens their bloom.