| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Earth to Earth |
| | | Michael Field |
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| I STOOD to hear that bold | |
| Sentence of grit and mould, | |
| Earth to earth; they thrust | |
| On his coffin dust; | |
| Stones struck against his grave: | 5 |
| Oh, the old days, the brave! | |
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| Just with a pebble’s fall, | |
| Grave-digger, you turn all | |
| Bliss to bereaving; | |
| To catch the cleaving | 10 |
| Of Atropa’s fine shears | |
| Would less hurt human ears. | |
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| Live senses that death dooms! | |
| For friendship in dear rooms, | |
| Slow-lighting faces, | 15 |
| Hand-clasps, embraces, | |
| Ashes on ashes grind: | |
| Oh, poor lips left behind! | |
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