Classic Poem

O what is this world to me?
Sad, lone, and bereft,—
O what is this world to me,
But the world he has left!

O what the green earth to me,
And what are the skies,
But the skies o'er his grave,
But the earth where he lies?

And what are these children
I once thought my own,
What now do they seem,
But his orphans alone?

And what is their beauty?
In their kirk-clothes so brave,
Of what do they mind me
But flowers on his grave!