THE GRAVE DIGGER’S SONG.

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 8286, 17 January 1888, Page 7

THE GRAVE DIGGER’S SONG.

The following poem is from Mr Alfred Austin’s new work entitled ‘Prince Lucifer, published by Macmillan and Co : The crab, the bullace, and the sloe, They burgeon in the Spring ; And when the west wind melts the snow, The redstarts build and sing. But Death’s at work in rind and root, And loves the green buds best; .And when the pairing music’s mute, Ha spares the empty nest. Death I Death 1 Death is master of lord and clown ; Close the coffin and hammer it down. When nuts are brown and sere without, And white and plump within, .And juicy gourds are passed about, And trickle down the chin ; When comes the reaper with Lis scythe, And reaps and nothing leaves, •O then it is that death is blythe, And sups among the sheaves. Death ! Death 1 Lower the coffin and slip the cord; Death is master of clown and lord. When logs about the house are stacked, And next year’s hose is knit, And tales are told and jokes are cracked, And faggots blaze and spit ; Death sits down in the inglenook, Sits down and doth not speak : But he puts bis arm around the maid that's warm. And she tingles iu the cheek. Death! Death ! Death is master of lord and clown : ' Shovel the clay in, tread it down.