THE MAIDEN'S LAST FAREWELL.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1786, 23 September 1874, Page 2

THE MAIDEN'S LAST FAREWELL.

IN TUB DAYS OF CREMATION. | Then the.night wore on,-and we'knew the worst, 1 That the end of it all was nigh: Three doctors they had from the very first— .. I And what cotild one do but die ?; > ; ■ ■ " Oh, William ?" she cried, "strew no blossom of J spring. For the new ' apparatus' migrht trust; But say that a handful of shavings you'll bring, And linger to see me combust. " Oh, prqmise.me, love, by the fire-hole you'll watch,; And when'mourners and stokers convene, '■ : You will see that they light me some solemn, slow: match, And warn them against kerosene. ; "It would cheer me to know, ere rude bi-eezes waft. ■, ■. ': . ' ■ ■ ' '■■.■: i ■ ■'■■ •: • My essences far to the pole, That one whom I love will look to the draught, And have a fond eye on he coal. : " Then promise me, love"—and her voice fainte ■ grew— • ■ . "While this body of mine calcifies, You will stand just as near as you can to the flue And gaze while my gases arise. • " For Thompson—Sir Henry—has found out a way (Of his'process'you've surely heard'tell), And you bum like a parlour match gently away, Nor even offend by a smell. " So none of the dainty need sniff in disdain ; When my carbon floats up to the sky ; And I'm sure, love, that you will never complain, ; Though an ash should blow into your eye. ; " Now promise me, love "—and she murmured low—• " When the calcification is o'er, } You will sit by my grave in the twilight glow— ' I mean by my furnace door: ; " Yes. promise me, love, while the seasons revolve ; On their noiseless axles, the year, ; You will visit the kiln where you saw me' resolve,' : Aud leach my pale ashes with tears." ■ —From Harper's Weekly.