Edward Dowden (1843–1913)

GIRLS, when I am gone away,

On this bosom strew

Only flowers meek and pale,

And the yew.

Lay these hands down by my side,

Let my face be bare;

Bind a kerchief round the face,

Smooth my hair.

Let my bier be borne at dawn,

Summer grows so sweet,

Deep into the forest green

Where boughs meet.

Then pass away, and let me lie

One long, warm, sweet day

There alone with face upturn’d,

One sweet day.

While the morning light grows broad,

While noon sleepeth sound,

While the evening falls and faints,

While the world goes round.