Epicede

By Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909)

In memory of James Lorimer Graham. Died April 30, 1876.

LIFE may give for love to death

Little; what are life’s gifts worth

To the dead wrapt round with earth

Yet from lips of living breath

Sighs or words we are fain to give,

All that yet, while yet we live,

Life may give for love to death.

Dead so long before his day,

Passed out of the Italian sun

To the dark where all is done,

Fallen upon the verge of May,

Here at life’s and April’s end

How should song salute my friend

Dead so long before his day?

Not a kindlier life or sweeter

Time, that lights and quenches men,

Now may quench or light again,

Mingling with the mystic metre

Woven of all men’s lives with his

Not a clearer note that this,

Not a kindlier life or sweeter.

In this heavenliest part of earth

He that living loved the light,

Light and song, may rest aright.

One in death if strange in birth,

With the deathless dead that make

Life the lovelier for their sake

In this heavenliest part of earth.

Light, and song, and sleep at last—

Struggling hands and suppliant knees

Get no goodlier gift than these.

Song that holds remembrance fast,

Light that lightens death, attend

Round their graves who have to friend

Light and song, and sleep at last.