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1837–1909

ON THE DEATH OF RICHARD DOYLE.

Algernon Charles Swinburne

A light of blameless laughter, fancy-bred, Soft-souled and glad and kind as love or sleep, Fades, and sweet mirth's own eyes are fain to weep Because her blithe and gentlest bird is dead.

Weep, elves and fairies all, that never shed Tear yet for mortal mourning: you that keep The doors of dreams whence nought of ill may creep, Mourn once for one whose lips your honey fed.

Let waters of the Golden River steep The rose-roots whence his grave blooms rosy-red And murmuring of Hyblæan hives be deep About the summer silence of its bed,

And nought less gracious than a violet peep Between the grass grown greener round his head.

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ON THE DEATH OF RICHARD DOYLE. · Algernon Charles Swinburne · Poetry Cove