| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Valedictory |
| | | Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833–70) |
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| LAY me low, my work is done, | |
| I am weary. Lay me low, | |
| Where the wild flowers woo the sun, | |
| Where the balmy breezes blow, | |
| Where the butterfly takes wing, | 5 |
| Where the aspens, drooping, grow, | |
| Where the young birds chirp and sing— | |
| I am weary, let me go. | |
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| I have striven hard and long | |
| In the world’s unequal fight, | 10 |
| Always to resist the wrong, | |
| Always to maintain the right. | |
| Always with a stubborn heart, | |
| Taking, giving blow for blow; | |
| Brother, I have played my part, | 15 |
| And am weary, let me go. | |
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| Stern the world and bitter cold, | |
| Irksome, painful to endure; | |
| Everywhere a love of gold, | |
| Nowhere pity for the poor. | 20 |
| Everywhere mistrust, disguise, | |
| Pride, hypocrisy, and show; | |
| Draw the curtain, close mine eyes, | |
| I am weary, let me go. | |
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| Other chance when I am gone | 25 |
| May restore the battle-call, | |
| Bravely lead the good cause on | |
| Fighting in the which I fall. | |
| God may quicken some true soul | |
| Here to take my place below | 30 |
| In the heroes’ muster roll— | |
| I am weary, let me go. | |
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| Shield and buckler, hang them up, | |
| Drape the standards on the wall, | |
| I have drained the mortal cup | 35 |
| To the finish, dregs and all; | |
| When our work is done, ’t is best, | |
| Brother, best that we should go— | |
| I am weary, let me rest, | |
| I am weary, lay me low. | 40 |
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