[ { "title": "The Funeral", "author": "John Donne", "lines": [ "Whoever comes to shroud me, do not harm", "Nor question much", "That subtle wreath of hair which crowns my arm;", "The mystery, the sign, you must not touch,", "For 'tis my outward Soul,", "Viceroy to that which then to heaven being gone", "Will leave this to control", "And keep these limbs, her Provinces, from dissolution.", "", "For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall", "Through every part", "Can tie those parts, and make me one of all,", "These hairs, which upward grew, and strength and art", "Have from a better brain,", "Can better do't; except she meant that I", "By this should know my pain,", "As prisoners then are manacled when they're condemned to die.", "", "Whate'er she meant by 't, bury it with me,", "For since I am", "Love's martyr, it might breed idolatry", "If into others' hands these relics came;", "As 'twas humility", "To afford to it all that a Soul can do,", "So 'tis some bravery", "That since you would save none of me, I bury some of you." ], "linecount": "24" }, { "title": "THE FUNERAL RITES OF THE ROSE", "author": "Robert Herrick", "lines": [ "The Rose was sick, and smiling died;", "And, being to be sanctified,", "About the bed, there sighing stood", "The sweet and flowery sisterhood.", "Some hung the head, while some did bring,", "To wash her, water from the spring;", "Some laid her forth, while others wept,", "But all a solemn fast there kept.", "The holy sisters some among,", "The sacred dirge and trental sung;", "But ah! what sweets smelt everywhere,", "As heaven had spent all perfumes there!", "At last, when prayers for the dead,", "And rites, were all accomplished,", "They, weeping, spread a lawny loom,", "And closed her up as in a tomb." ], "linecount": "16" }, { "title": "The Funeral of Youth: Threnody", "author": "Rupert Brooke", "lines": [ "The Day that Youth had died,", "There came to his grave-side,", "In decent mourning, from the country’s ends,", "Those scatter’d friends", "Who had lived the boon companions of his prime,", "And laughed with him and sung with him and wasted,", "In feast and wine and many-crown’d carouse,", "The days and nights and dawnings of the time", "When Youth kept open house,", "Nor left untasted", "Aught of his high emprise and ventures dear,", "No quest of his unshar’d—", "All these, with loitering feet and sad head bar’d,", "Followed their old friend’s bier.", "Folly went first,", "With muffled bells and coxcomb still revers’d;", "And after trod the bearers, hat in hand—", "Laughter, most hoarse, and Captain Pride with tanned", "And martial face all grim, and fussy Joy", "Who had to catch a train, and Lust, poor, snivelling boy;", "These bore the dear departed.", "Behind them, broken-hearted,", "Came Grief, so noisy a widow, that all said,", "“Had he but wed", "Her elder sister Sorrow, in her stead!”", "And by her, trying to soothe her all the time,", "The fatherless children, Colour, Tune, and Rhyme", "(The sweet lad Rhyme), ran all-uncomprehending.", "Then, at the way’s sad ending,", "Round the raw grave they stay’d. Old Wisdom read,", "In mumbling tone, the Service for the Dead.", "There stood Romance,", "The furrowing tears had mark’d her rougиd cheek;", "Poor old Conceit, his wonder unassuaged;", "Dead Innocency’s daughter, Ignorance;", "And shabby, ill-dress’d Generosity;", "And Argument, too full of woe to speak;", "Passion, grown portly, something middle-aged;", "And Friendship—not a minute older, she;", "Impatience, ever taking out his watch;", "Faith, who was deaf, and had to lean, to catch", "Old Wisdom’s endless drone.", "Beauty was there,", "Pale in her black; dry-eyed; she stood alone.", "Poor maz’d Imagination; Fancy wild;", "Ardour, the sunlight on his greying hair;", "Contentment, who had known Youth as a child", "And never seen him since. And Spring came too,", "Dancing over the tombs, and brought him flowers—", "She did not stay for long.", "And Truth, and Grace, and all the merry crew,", "The laughing Winds and Rivers, and lithe Hours;", "And Hope, the dewy-eyed; and sorrowing Song;—", "Yes, with much woe and mourning general,", "At dead Youth’s funeral,", "Even these were met once more together, all,", "Who erst the fair and living Youth did know;", "All, except only Love. Love had died long ago." ], "linecount": "58" }, { "title": "On the Funeral of Charles the First", "author": "William Lisle Bowles", "lines": [ "The castle clock had tolled midnight:", "With mattock and with spade,", "And silent, by the torches' light,", "His corse in earth we laid.", "", "The coffin bore his name, that those", "Of other years might know,", "When earth its secrets should disclose,", "Whose bones were laid below.", "", "\"Peace to the dead\" no children sung,", "Slow pacing up the nave,--", "No prayers were read, no knell was rung,", "As deep we dug his grave.", "", "We only heard the winter's wind,", "In many a sullen gust,", "As, o'er the open grave inclined,", "We murmured, \"Dust to dust!\"", "", "A moonbeam from the arch's height", "Streamed, as we placed the stone;", "The long aisles started into light,", "And all the windows shone.", "", "We thought we saw the banners then,", "That shook along the walls,", "Whilst the sad shades of mailиd men", "Were gazing on the stalls.", "", "'Tis gone! again on tombs defaced", "Sits darkness more profound;", "And only by the torch we traced", "The shadows on the ground.", "", "And now the chilling, freezing air", "Without blew long and loud;", "Upon our knees we breathed one prayer,", "Where he slept in his shroud.", "", "We laid the broken marble floor,--", "No name, no trace appears,--", "And when we closed the sounding door,", "We thought of him with tears." ], "linecount": "36" }, { "title": "The Funeral of the Late Ex-Provost Rough, Dundee", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year of 1888, and on the 19th of November,", "Which the friends of the late Ex-Provost Rough will long remember,", "Because 'twas on the 19th of November his soul took its flight", "To the happy land above, the land of pure delight.", "", "Take him for all in all, he was a very good man,", "And during his Provostship he couldn't be equalled in Great Britain,", "Which I proclaim to the world without any dread,", "Because while Provost he reduced the public-houses to three hundred.", "", "Whereas at the time there were 620 public-houses in the town,", "But being a friend of the temperance cauae he did frown,", "Because he saw the evils of intemperance every day", "While sitting on the bench, so he resolved to sweep public-houses away.", "", "And in doing so the good man, in my opinion, was right,", "Because the evils of intemperance is an abomination in God's sight;", "And all those that get drunk are enemies to Him,", "Likewise enemies to Christ's kingdom, which is a great sin.", "", "The late Ex-Provost Rough was President of the Dundee Temperance Society,", "An office which he filled with great ability;", "Besides Vice-President of the Scottish Temperance League for many years,", "And no doubt the friends of temperance for his loss will shed tears.", "", "Because many a hungry soul he relieved while in distress,", "And for doing so I hope the Lord will him bless,", "For his kindness towards the poor people in Dundee,", "Besides for his love towards the temperance cause, and his integrity.", "", "And when the good man's health began to decline", "The doctor ordered him to take each day two glasses of wine,", "But he soon saw the evil of it, and from it he shrunk,", "The noble old patriarch, for fear of getting drunk.", "", "And although the doctor advised him to continue taking the wine,", "Still the hero of the temperance cause did decline,", "And told the doctor he wouldn't of wine take any more,", "So in a short time his spirit fled to heaven, where all troubles are o'er.", "", "I'm sure very little good emanates from strong drink,", "And many people, alas! it leads to hell's brink!", "Some to the scaffold, and some to a pauper's grave,", "Whereas if they would abstain from drink, Christ would them save.", "", "'Twas on Friday afternoon, in November the 23rd day,", "That the funeral cortege to the Western Cemetery wended its way,", "Accompanied by the Magistrates, and amongst those present were-", "Bailie Macdonald and Bailie Black, also Lord Provost Hunter I do declare.", "", "There were also Bailie Foggie, Bailie Craig, and Bailie Stephenson,", "And Ex-Provost Moncur, and Ex-Provost Ballingall representing the Royal Orphan Institution;", "Besides there were present the Rev. J. Jenkins and the Rev. J. Masson,", "With grief depicted in their faces and seemingly woe-begone.", "", "There were also Mr Henry Adams, representing the Glover trade,", "Also Mr J. Carter, who never was afraid", "To denounce strong drink, and to warn the people from it to flee,", "While agent of the Temperance Society in Dundee.", "", "And when the funeral cortege arrived at the Western burying-ground,", "Then the clergyman performed the funeral service with a solemn sound;", "While from the eyes of the spectators fell many a tear", "For the late Ex-Provost Rough they loved so dear.", "", "And when the coffin was lowered into its house of clay,", "Then the friends of the deceased homewards wended their way,", "Conversing on the good qualities of the good man,", "Declaring that the late Ex-Provost Rough couldn't be equalled in Great Britain." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "The Funeral of the German Emperor", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ye sons of Germany, your noble Emperor William now is dead.", "Who oft great armies to battle hath led;", "He was a man beloved by his subjects all,", "Because he never tried them to enthral.", "", "The people of Germany have cause now to mourn,", "The loss of their hero, who to them will ne'er return;", "But his soul I hope to Heaven has fled away,", "To the realms of endless bliss for ever and aye.", "", "He was much respected throughout Europe by the high and the low,", "And all over Germany people's hearts are full of woe;", "For in the battlefield he was a hero bold,", "Nevertheless, a lover of peace, to his credit be it told.", "", "'Twas in the year of 1888, and on March the 16th day,", "That the peaceful William's remains were conveyed away", "To the royal mausoleum of Charlottenburg, their last resting-place,", "The God-fearing man that never did his country disgrace.", "", "The funeral service was conducted in the cathedral by the court chaplain, Dr. Kogel,", "Which touched the hearts of his hearers, as from his lips it fell,", "And in conclusion he recited the Lord's Prayer", "In the presence of kings, princes, dukes, and counts assembled there.", "", "And at the end of the service the infantry outside fired volley after volley,", "While the people inside the cathedral felt melancholy,", "As the sound of the musketry smote upon the ear,", "In honour of the illustrous William, whom they loved most dear.", "", "Then there was a solemn pause as the kings and princes took their places,", "Whilst the hot tears are trickling down their faces,", "And the mourners from shedding tears couldn't refrain;", "And in respect of the good man, above the gateway glared a bituminous flame.", "", "Then the coffin was placed on the funeral car,", "By the kings and princes that came from afar;", "And the Crown Prince William heads the procession alone,", "While behind him are the four heirs-apparent to the throne.", "", "Then followed the three Kings of Saxony, and the King of the Belgians also,", "Together with the Prince of Wales, with their hearts full of woe,", "Besides the Prince of Naples and Prince Rudolph of Austria were there,", "Also the Czarevitch, and other princes in their order I do declare.", "", "And as the procession passes the palace the blinds are drawn completely,", "And every house is half hidden with the sable drapery;", "And along the line of march expansive arches were erected,", "While the spectators standing by seemed very dejected.", "", "And through the Central Avenue, to make the decorations complete,", "There were pedestals erected, rising fourteen to fifteen feet,", "And at the foot and top of each pedestal were hung decorations of green bay,", "Also beautiful wreaths and evergreen festoons all in grand array.", "And there were torches fastened on pieces of wood stuck in the ground;", "And as the people gazed on the weird-like scene, their silence was profound;", "And the shopkeepers closed their shops, and hotel-keepers closed in the doorways,", "And with torchlight and gaslight, Berlin for once was all ablaze.", "The authorities of Berlin in honour of the Emperor considered it no sin,", "To decorate with crape the beautiful city of Berlin;", "Therefore Berlin I declare was a city of crape,", "Because few buildings crape decoration did escape.", "First in the procession was the Emperor's bodyguard,", "And his great love for them nothing could it retard;", "Then followed a squadron of the hussars with their band,", "Playing \"Jesus, Thou my Comfort,\" most solemn and grand.", "And to see the procession passing the sightseers tried their best,", "Especially when the cavalry hove in sight, riding four abreast;", "Men and officers with their swords drawn, a magnificent sight to see", "In the dim sun's rays, their burnished swords glinting dimly.", "Then followed the footguards with slow and solemn tread,", "Playing the \"Dead March in Saul,\" most appropriate for the dead;", "And behind them followed the artillery, with four guns abreast,", "Also the ministers and court officials dressed in their best.", "", "The whole distance to the grave was covered over with laurel and bay,", "So that the body should be borne along smoothly all the way;", "And the thousands of banners in the procession were beautiful to view,", "Because they were composed of cream-coloured silk and light blue.", "", "There were thousands of thousands of men and women gathered there,", "And standing ankle deep in snow, and seemingly didn't care", "So as they got a glimpse of the funeral car,", "Especially the poor souls that came from afar.", "", "And when the funeral car appeared there was a general hush,", "And the spectators in their anxiety to see began to crush;", "And when they saw the funeral car by the Emperor's charger led,", "Every hat and cap was lifted reverently from off each head.", "", "And as the procession moved on to the royal mausoleum,", "The spectators remained bareheaded and seemingly quite dumb;", "And as the coffin was borne into its last resting-place,", "Sorrow seemed depicted in each one's face.", "", "And after the burial service the mourners took a last farewell", "Of the noble-hearted William they loved so well;", "Then rich and poor dispersed quietly that were assembled there,", "While two batteries of field-guns fired a salute which did rend the air", "In honour of the immortal hero they loved so dear,", "The founder of the Fatherland Germany, that he did revere." ], "linecount": "86" }, { "title": "The Funeral of the Late Prince Henry of Battenberg", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! Prince Henry of Battenberg is dead!", "And, I hope, has gone to heaven, its streets to tread,", "And to sing with God's saints above,", "Where all is joy and peace and love.", "", "'Twas in the year of 1896, and on the 5th of February,", "Prince Henry was buried at Whippingham- a solemn sight to see.", "As the funeral moved off, it was a very impressive sight-", "First came the military, and police, and volunteers from the Isle of Wight.", "", "Then came the carriage party of the Scots Guards;", "While the people uncovered their heads as it passed onwards", "And many of them did sob and sigh", "When the gun carriage with the coffin was passing by.", "", "Prince Henry's charger was led by Richter, his stud groom;", "And depicted in the people's faces there was a sad gloom", "When they saw the noble charger of the dead-", "It seemed that all joy from them had fled.", "", "The Queen's carriage was followed by the Princess of Wales, and other Princesses,", "All clad in gorgeous mourning dresses;", "And there was a number of military representatives, which enhanced the scene;", "And as the procession moved along it was solemn in the extreme.", "", "Her Majesty looked very sad and serene,", "Leaning back in her carriage could plainly be seen;", "And the carriage was drawn by a pair of greys in grand harness;", "And Her Majesty seemed to be in deep distress.", "", "By Her Majesty's side sat the Princess Beatrice", "And the two younger Battenberg children, looking very nice;", "And by the coffin walked the elder Prince, immediately", "Between Prince Louis and Prince Joseph, holding their hands tenderly.", "", "The \"Dead March\" was played by the Marine Band;", "And the music was solemn and very grand,", "And accompanied by the roll of muffled drums;", "Whilst among the spectators were heard sighs and hums.", "", "And when the procession arrived at the church of Whippingham,", "Then the coffin was carried inside- of the good man-", "And was then laid in its resting place,", "While sorrow was depicted in every face.", "", "Then there was the firing of guns, with their earthly Thunder", "Which made the people start and wonder;", "And the tolling of the village bells,", "While the solemn music on the air swells.", "", "And the people said, \"Prince Henry was a good man,", "But now he's laid low in the church of Whippingham.\"", "But when the Grim King his dart does throw,", "None can escape death, high or low.", "", "The funeral service was certainly very nice-", "Which was by the request of Princess Beatrice-", "Which was the rendering of Sullivan's anthem, \"Brother, before us thou art gone\"-", "I hope unto thy heavenly home.", "", "No Doubt the Princess Beatrice will mourn for him-", "But to mourn for the dead it is a sin!", "Therefore I hope God will comfort her always,", "And watch o'er her children night and day.", "", "Prince Henry was a God-fearing man-", "And to deny it few people can-", "And very kind to his children dear,", "And for the loss of him they will drop a tear.", "", "His relatives covered the coffin lid with wreaths of flowers,", "While adown their cheeks flowed tears in showers.", "Then the service concluded with \"Christ will gather His own\";", "And each one left with a sad heart and went home." ], "linecount": "60" } ]