The Death Of The Duke Of Clarence And Avondale
By Alfred Lord Tennyson
To the Mourners.
The bridal garland falls upon the bier,
The shadow of a crown, that oer him hung,
Has vanishd in the shadow cast by Death.
So princely, tender, truthful, reverent, pure
Mourn! That a world-wide Empire mourns with you,
That all the Thrones are clouded by your loss,
Were slender solace. Yet be comforted;
For if this earth be ruled by Perfect Love,
Then, after his brief range of blameless days,
The toll of funeral in an Angel ear
Sounds happier than the merriest marriage-bell.
The face of Death is toward the Sun of Life,
His shadow darkens earth: his truer name
Is Onward, no discordance in the roll
And march of that Eternal Harmony
Whereto the worlds beat time, tho faintly heard
Until the great Hereafter. Mourn in hope!