| Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916. | | | XIX. The Shrouding
To Bearers | | By Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch (1863–1944) |
| | | MAIDS, carry her forth—your dead, | |
| Your pale young queen; | |
| Two at her feet, two at her head, | |
| And four between.— | |
| Not as we wanted it, | 5 |
| But as God granted it. | |
| |
| Not now to the swinging chime, | |
| To the organ swell, | |
| Keep we the rank, treading in time— | |
| But one dull bell. | 10 |
| Open the gates for her! | |
| The Bridegroom waits for her. | |
| |
| We never had dreamed it so: | |
| But she—she knew; | |
| Walking aloof, placid of brow | 15 |
| Her short life through | |
| Scornful, in surety | |
| Guarding her purity. | |
| |
| Buds born for the bridal path | |
| Cover her breast: | 20 |
| Babes of the dream now that she hath | |
| Sleep in her rest. | |
| Our peace above her let | |
| Fall for her coverlet. | | | | |
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