James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
February 23The Grave of Keats
By Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)(Died Feb. 23, 1821)
R
He rests at last beneath God’s veil of blue;
Taken from life when life and love were new
The youngest of the martyrs here is lain,
Fair as Sebastian, and as early slain.
No cypress shades his grave, no general yew,
But gentle violets weeping with the dew
Weave on his bones an ever blossoming chain.
O proudest heart that broke by misery!
O sweetest lips since those of Mitylene!
O poet-painter of our English land!
Thy name was writ in water—it shall stand;
And tears like mine will keep thy memory green,
As Isabella did her Basil-tree.