Only a Woman’s Hair

By James Ashcroft Noble (1844–1896)

“Only a woman’s hair.”—Swift.

It was stated that after Richard Wagner’s death, Feb. 13, 1883, his wife cut off her beautiful hair which he had so admired and placed it in a red cushion under his head in his coffin.

“ONLY a women’s hair!” We may not guess

If ’twere a mocking sneer or the sharp cry

Of a great heart’s o’ermastering agony

That spake in these four words. Nevertheless,

One thing we know—that the long clinging tress

Had lived with Stella’s life in days gone by,

And, she being dead, lived on to testify

Of love’s victorious everlastingness.

Such love, O mute musician, doth provide

For thy dear head’s repose a pillow rare:

With red of heart’s blood is the covering dyed,

And underneath—canst thou not feel it there?—

The rippling wavy wealth that was thy pride,

Now love’s last gift—only a woman’s hair!

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