Elegy before Death
Therewill be rose and rhododendronWhen you are dead and under ground;Still will be heard from white syringasHeavy with bees, a sunny sound;Still will the tamaracks be rainingAfter the rain has ceased, and stillWill there be robins in the stubble,Brown sheep upon the warm green hill.Spring will not ail nor autumn falter;Nothing will know that you are gone,Saving alone some sullen plough-landNone but yourself sets foot upon;Saving the may-weed and the pig-weedNothing will know that you are dead,—These, and perhaps a useless wagonStanding beside some tumbled shed.Oh, there will pass with your great passingLittle of beauty not your own,—Only the light from common water,Only the grace from simple stone!
Therewill be rose and rhododendronWhen you are dead and under ground;Still will be heard from white syringasHeavy with bees, a sunny sound;Still will the tamaracks be rainingAfter the rain has ceased, and stillWill there be robins in the stubble,Brown sheep upon the warm green hill.Spring will not ail nor autumn falter;Nothing will know that you are gone,Saving alone some sullen plough-landNone but yourself sets foot upon;Saving the may-weed and the pig-weedNothing will know that you are dead,—These, and perhaps a useless wagonStanding beside some tumbled shed.Oh, there will pass with your great passingLittle of beauty not your own,—Only the light from common water,Only the grace from simple stone!
Therewill be rose and rhododendronWhen you are dead and under ground;Still will be heard from white syringasHeavy with bees, a sunny sound;
Still will the tamaracks be rainingAfter the rain has ceased, and stillWill there be robins in the stubble,Brown sheep upon the warm green hill.
Spring will not ail nor autumn falter;Nothing will know that you are gone,Saving alone some sullen plough-landNone but yourself sets foot upon;
Saving the may-weed and the pig-weedNothing will know that you are dead,—These, and perhaps a useless wagonStanding beside some tumbled shed.
Oh, there will pass with your great passingLittle of beauty not your own,—Only the light from common water,Only the grace from simple stone!