World's Best Poetry, Volume 9: Tragedy and Humor (Part 1) — Before Sedan by Austin Dobson

"The dead hand clasped a letter."

--SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

Here in this leafy place, Quiet he lies, Cold, with his sightless face Turned to the skies;

'T is but another dead;-- All you can say is said.

Carry his body hence,-- Kings must have slaves;

Kings climb to eminence Over men's graves.

So this man's eye is dim;-- Throw the earth over him.

What was the white you touched, There at his side?

Paper his hand had clutched Tight ere he died;

Message or wish, may be:-- Smooth out the folds and see.

Hardly the worst of us Here could have smiled!

-- Only the tremulous Words of a child:-- Prattle, that had for stops Just a few ruddy drops.

Look.

She is sad to miss, Morning and night, His--her dead father's--kiss, Tries to be bright, Good to mamma, and sweet.

That is all.

"_Marguerite.

_" Ah, if beside the dead Slumbered the pain!

Ah, if the hearts that bled Slept with the slain!

If the grief died!

--But no:-- Death will not have it so.

AUSTIN DOBSON.