Classic Poem

TO D ANTE G ABRIEL R OSSETTI .

Calmly, thy royal robe of Death around thee,
Thou sleepest, and weeping Brethren round thee stand;
Gently they placed, ere yet God's angel crown'd thee,
My lily in thy hand!

I never knew thee living, O my brother!
BuTon thy breast my lily of love now lies;
And by that token we shall know each other,
When God's voice saith " Arise!"