Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (18331908). An American Anthology, 17871900. 1900. |
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130. Votive Song |
| By Edward Coate Pinkney |
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I BURN no incense, hang no wreath, | |
On this thine early tomb: | |
Such cannot cheer the place of death, | |
But only mock its gloom. | |
Here odorous smoke and breathing flower | 5 |
No grateful influence shed; | |
They lose their perfume and their power, | |
When offered to the dead. | |
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And if, as is the Afghauns creed, | |
The spirit may return, | 10 |
A disembodied sense to feed, | |
On fragrance, near its urn, | |
It is enough that she, whom thou | |
Didst love in living years, | |
Sits desolate beside it now, | 15 |
And fall these heavy tears. | |
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