Remembrance

Swifter far than summer's flight-- Swifter far than youth's delight-- Swifter far than happy night, Art thou come and gone-- As the earth when leaves are dead, As the night when sleep is sped, As the heart when joy is fled, I am left lone, alone.

The swallow summer comes again-- The owlet night resumes her reign-- But the wild-swan youth is fain To fly with thee, false as thou.-- My heart each day desires the morrow; Sleep itself is turned to sorrow; Vainly would my winter borrow Sunny leaves from any bough.

Lilies for a bridal bed-- Roses for a matron's head-- Violets for a maiden dead-- Pansies let MY flowers be: On the living grave I bear Scatter them without a tear-- Let no friend, however dear, Waste one hope, one fear for me.