| |
| THE FIFTH from the north wall; | |
| Row innermost; and the pall | |
| Plain black—all black—except | |
| The cross on which she wept, | |
| Ere she lay down and slept. | 5 |
| |
| This one is hers, and this— | |
| The marble next it—his. | |
| So lie in brave accord | |
| The lady and her lord, | |
| Her cross and his red sword. | 10 |
| |
| And, now, what seekst thou here; | |
| Having nor care nor fear | |
| To vex with thy hot tread | |
| These halls of the long dead,— | |
| To flash the torch’s light | 15 |
| Upon their utter night?— | |
| What word hast thou to thrust | |
| Into her ear of dust? | |
| |
| Spake then the haggard priest: | |
| “In lands of the far East | 20 |
| I dreamed of finding rest— | |
| What time my lips had prest | |
| The cross on this dead breast. | |
| |
| “And if my sin be shriven, | |
| And mercy live in heaven, | 25 |
| Surely this hour, and here, | |
| My long woe’s end is near— | |
| Is near—and I am brought | |
| To peace, and painless thought | |
| Of her who lies at rest, | 30 |
| This cross upon her breast; | |
| |
| “Whose passionate heart is cold | |
| Beneath this cross of gold; | |
| Who lieth, still and mute, | |
| In sleep so absolute. | 35 |
| Yea, by this precious sign | |
| Shall sleep most sweet be mine; | |
| And I, at last, am blest, | |
| Knowing she went to rest | |
| This cross upon her breast.” | 40 |
| |
