| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Solemn Rondeau | | By Charles Dent Bell (1818–1898) |
| | | BEFORE he pass’d from mortal view | |
| To where he sleeps beneath the yew | |
| He said ‘Weep not: to thee I’ll come, | |
| If spirits ever leave that home | |
| Thro’ whose dark gates I go from you.’ | 5 |
| |
| How firm his promise well I knew; | |
| So as he spake life sweeter grew, | |
| And flower’d again my heart in bloom, | |
| Before he pass’d. | |
| |
| Alas! the sweet hope is not true; | 10 |
| He may not tread the avenue | |
| That leadeth from the nether gloom; | |
| Else would he come to this dear room, | |
| I heard his vow,—God heard it too, | |
| Before he pass’d! | 15 | | | |
|
|
