Burton

By Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909)

Richard Burton died October 20, 1890.

WHILE England sees not her old praise dim,

While still her stars through the world’s night swim,

A fame outshining her Raleigh’s fame,

A light that lightens her loud sea’s rim,

Shall shine and sound as her son’s proclaim

The pride that kindles at Burton’s name.

And joy shall exalt their pride to be

The same in birth if in soul the same.

But we that yearn for a friend’s face—we

Who lack the light that on earth was he—

Mourn, though the light be a quenchless flame

That shines as dawn on a tideless sea.