John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892). In Memory of James T. Fields. Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. 1922. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse

Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.

In Memory of James T. Fields

By John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)


AS a guest who may not stay
Long and sad farewells to say
Glides with smiling face away,

Of the sweetness and the zest
Of thy happy life possess’d	5
Thou hast left us at thy best.

Keep for us, O friend, where’er
Thou art waiting, all that here
Made thy earthly presence dear;

Something of thy pleasant past	10
On a ground of wonder cast,
In the stiller waters glass’d!

Keep the human heart of thee;
Let the mortal only be
Clothed in immortality.	15

And when fall our feet as fell
Thine upon the asphodel,
Let thy old smile greet us well.