DEATH, if thou wilt, fain would I plead with thee: Canst thou not spare, of all our hopes have built, One shelter where our spirits fain would be, Death, if thou wilt? No dome with suns and dews impearled and gilt, Imperial: but some roof of wildwood tree, Too mean for sceptre’s heft or swordblade’s hilt. Some low sweet roof where love might live, set free From change and fear and dreams of grief or guilt; Canst thou not leave life even thus much to see, Death, if thou wilt? II. Man, what art thou to speak and plead with me? What knowest thou of my workings, where and how What things I fashion? Nay, behold and see, Man, what art thou? Thy fruits of life, and blossoms of thy bough, What are they but my seedlings? Earth and sea Bear nought but when I breathe on it must bow. Bow thou too down before me: though thou be Great, all the pride shall fade from off thy brow, When Time and strong Oblivion ask of thee, Man, what art thou? III. Death, if thou be or be not, as was said, Immortal; if thou make us nought, or we Survive: thy power is made but of our dread, Death, if thou be. Thy might is made out of our fear of thee: Who fears thee not, hath plucked from off thine head The crown of cloud that darkens earth and sea. Earth, sea, and sky, as rain or vapour shed, Shall vanish; all the shows of them shall flee: Then shall we know full surely, quick or dead, Death, if thou be. PLUS ULTRA. FAR beyond the sunrise and the sunset rises Heaven, with worlds on worlds that lighten and respond: Thought can see not thence the goal of hope’s surmises Far beyond. Night and day have made an everlasting bond Each with each to hide in yet more deep disguises Truth, till souls of men that thirst for truth despond. All that man in pride of spirit slights or prizes, All the dreams that make him fearful, fain, or fond, Fade at forethought’s touch of life’s unknown surprises Far beyond. A DEAD FRIEND. I. GONE, O gentle heart and true, Friend of hopes foregone, Hopes and hopeful days with you Gone? Days of old that shone Saw what none shall see anew, When we gazed thereon. Soul as clear as sunlit dew, Why so soon pass on, Forth from all we loved and knew Gone? II. Friend of many a season fled, What may sorrow send Toward thee now from lips that said ‘Friend’? Sighs and songs to blend Praise with pain uncomforted Though the praise ascend? Darkness hides no dearer head: Why should darkness end Day so soon, O dear and dead Friend? III. Dear in death, thou hast thy part Yet in life, to cheer Hearts that held thy gentle heart Dear. Time and chance may sear Hope with grief, and death may part Hand from hand’s clasp here: