We — Bee and I — live by the quaffing —
'Tisn't all Hock — with us —
Life has its Ale —
But it's many a lay of the Dim Burgundy —
We chant — for cheer — when the Wines — fail —
Do we "get drunk"?
Ask the jolly Clovers!
Do we "beat" our "Wife"?
I — never wed —
Bee...
We'll pass without the parting
So to spare
Certificate of Absence —
Deeming where
I left Her I could find Her
If I tried —
This way, I keep from missing
Those that died.
"When I and all those that hear me shall have gone to our last home, and
when the mould may have gathered on our memories, as it will on our
tombs:" -- Webster's Speech in the Senate, July, 1850.
The mould upon thy memory! -- No,
Not while one note is rung,
...
Went up a year this evening!
I recollect it well!
Amid no bells nor bravoes
The bystanders will tell!
Cheerful — as to the village —
Tranquil — as to repose —
Chastened — as to the Chapel
This humble Tourist rose!
Did not talk of returning!
Alluded to no time
...
Were it but Me that gained the Height —
Were it but They, that failed!
How many things the Dying play
Might they but live, they would!
Were it to be the last
How infinite would be
What we did not suspect was marked —
Our final interview.
Were natural mortal lady
Who had so little time
To pack her trunk and order
The great exchange of clime —
How rapid, how momentous —
What exigencies were —
But nature will be ready
And have an hour to spare.
To make some trifle fairer
That was too fair...
Wert Thou but ill — that I might show thee
How long a Day I could endure
Though thine attention stop not on me
Nor the least signal, Me assure —
Wert Thou but Stranger in ungracious country —
And Mine — the Door
Thou paused at, for a passing bounty —
No More —
Accused...
What care the Dead, for Chanticleer —
What care the Dead for Day?
'Tis late your Sunrise vex their face —
And Purple Ribaldry — of Morning
Pour as blank on them
As on the Tier of Wall
The Mason builded, yesterday,
And equally as cool —
What care the Dead for Summer?...
What did They do since I saw Them?
Were They industrious?
So many questions to put Them
Have I the eagerness
That could I snatch Their Faces
That could Their lips reply
Not till the last was answered
Should They start for the Sky.
Not if Their Party were waiting,...