Her final summer was it, And yet we guessed it not; If tenderer industriousness Pervaded her, we thought A further force of life Developed from within, -- When Death lit all the shortness up, And made the hurry plain. We wondered at our blindness, -- When nothing was to see But her Carrara guide-post, -- At our stupidity, When, duller than our dullness, The busy darling lay, So busy was she, finishing, So leisurely were we! XXIX. GHOSTS. One need not be a chamber to be haunted, One need not be a house; The brain has corridors surpassing Material place. Far safer, of a midnight meeting External ghost, Than an interior confronting That whiter host. Far safer through an Abbey gallop, The stones achase, Than, moonless, one's own self encounter In lonesome place. Ourself, behind ourself concealed, Should startle most; Assassin, hid in our apartment, Be horror's least. The prudent carries a revolver, He bolts the door, O'erlooking a superior spectre More near. XXX. VANISHED. She died, -- this was the way she died; And when her breath was done, Took up her simple wardrobe And started for the sun. Her little figure at the gate The angels must have spied, Since I could never find her Upon the mortal side. XXXI. PRECEDENCE. Wait till the majesty of Death Invests so mean a brow! Almost a powdered footman Might dare to touch it now! Wait till in everlasting robes This democrat is dressed, Then prate about "preferment" And "station" and the rest! Around this quiet courtier Obsequious angels wait! Full royal is his retinue, Full purple is his state! A lord might dare to lift the hat To such a modest clay, Since that my Lord, "the Lord of lords" Receives unblushingly! XXXII. GONE. Went up a year this evening! I recollect it well! Amid no bells nor bravos The bystanders will tell! Cheerful, as to the village, Tranquil, as to repose, Chastened, as to the chapel, This humble tourist rose. Did not talk of returning, Alluded to no time When, were the gales propitious, We might look for him; Was grateful for the roses In life's diverse bouquet, Talked softly of new species To pick another day. Beguiling thus the wonder, The wondrous nearer drew; Hands bustled at the moorings -- The crowd respectful grew. Ascended from our vision To countenances new! A difference, a daisy, Is all the rest I knew! XXXIII. REQUIEM. Taken from men this morning, Carried by men to-day, Met by the gods with banners Who marshalled her away. One little maid from playmates, One little mind from school, -- There must be guests in Eden; All the rooms are full. Far as the east from even, Dim as the border star, -- Courtiers quaint, in kingdoms, Our departed are. XXXIV. What inn is this Where for the night Peculiar traveller comes? Who is the landlord? Where the maids? Behold, what curious rooms! No ruddy fires on the hearth, No brimming tankards flow. Necromancer, landlord, Who are these below? XXXV.