H. C. M. H. S. J. K. W. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBAA CCDDCC EEFFEE GGHHGG IIJJII KKLLMK NNBBNN EEBBEE| THE dirge is played the throbbing death peal rung | A |
| The sad voiced requiem sung | A |
| On each white urn where memory dwells | B |
| The wreath of rustling immortelles | B |
| Our loving hands have hung | A |
| And balmiest leaves have strown and tenderest blossoms flung | A |
| - | |
| The birds that filled the air with songs have flown | C |
| The wintry blasts have blown | C |
| And these for whom the voice of spring | D |
| Bade the sweet choirs their carols sing | D |
| Sleep in those chambers lone | C |
| Where snows untrodden lie unheard the night winds moan | C |
| - | |
| We clasp them all in memory as the vine | E |
| Whose running stems intwine | E |
| The marble shaft and steal around | F |
| The lowly stone the nameless mound | F |
| With sorrowing hearts resign | E |
| Our brothers true and tried and close our broken line | E |
| - | |
| How fast the lamps of life grow dim and die | G |
| Beneath our sunset sky | G |
| Still fading as along our track | H |
| We cast our saddened glances back | H |
| And while we vainly sigh | G |
| The shadowy day recedes the starry night draws nigh | G |
| - | |
| As when from pier to pier across the tide | I |
| With even keel we glide | I |
| The lights we left along the shore | J |
| Grow less and less while more yet more | J |
| New vistas open wide | I |
| Of fair illumined streets and casements golden eyed | I |
| - | |
| Each closing circle of our sunlit sphere | K |
| Seems to bring heaven more near | K |
| Can we not dream that those we love | L |
| Are listening in the world above | L |
| And smiling as they hear | M |
| The voices known so well of friends that still are dear | K |
| - | |
| Does all that made us human fade away | N |
| With this dissolving clay | N |
| Nay rather deem the blessed isles | B |
| Are bright and gay with joyous smiles | B |
| That angels have their play | N |
| And saints that tire of song may claim their holiday | N |
| - | |
| All else of earth may perish love alone | E |
| Not heaven shall find outgrown | E |
| Are they not here our spirit guests | B |
| With love still throbbing in their breasts | B |
| Once more let flowers be strown | E |
| Welcome ye shadowy forms we count you still our own | E |
Oliver Wendell Holmes
(1)
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