Alfred Edward Housman

Here you will find the Poem Bring, In This Timeless Grave to Throw of poet Alfred Edward Housman

Bring, In This Timeless Grave to Throw

Bring, in this timeless grave to throw, 
No cypress, sombre on the snow; 
Snap not from the bitter yew 
His leaves that live December through; 
Break no rosemary, bright with rime 
And sparkling to the cruel clime; 
Nor plod the winter land to look 
For willows in the icy brook 
To cast them leafless round him: bring 
No spray that ever buds in spring. 

But if the Christmas field has kept 
Awns the last gleaner overstept, 
Or shrivelled flax, whose flower is blue 
A single season, never two; 
Or if one haulm whose year is o'er 
Shivers on the upland frore, 
--Oh, bring from hill and stream and plain 
Whatever will not flower again, 
To give him comfort: he and those 
Shall bide eternal bedfellows 
Where low upon the couch he lies 
Whence he never shall arise.