Paler, not quite so fair as in her life, She lies upon the bed, perfectly still; Her little hands clasped with a patient will Upon her *****, swelling without strife; An honoured ******, a most blameless wife. The roses lean upon the window sill, That she trained once; their sweets the hot air fill, And make the death-apartment odour-rife. Her meek white hands folded upon her breast, Her gentle eyes closed in the long last sleep, She lieth down in her unbroken rest; Her kin, kneeling around, a vigil keep, Venting their grief in low sobs unrepressed:-- Friends, she but slumbers, wherefore do ye weep?