Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

V. Death and Bereavement

Now and Afterwards

Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (1826–1887)

“TWO hands upon the breast,

And labor ’s done;

Two pale feet crossed in rest,—

The race is won;

Two eyes with coin-weights shut,

And all tears cease;

Two lips where grief is mute,

Anger at peace:”

So pray we oftentimes, mourning our lot;

God in his kindness answereth not.

“Two hands to work addrest

Aye for his praise;

Two feet that never rest

Walking his ways;

Two eyes that look above

Through all their tears;

Two lips still breathing love,

Not wrath, nor fears:”

So pray we afterwards, low on our knees;

Pardon those erring prayers! Father, hear these!