The Chamber

Room where I so oft have slept, Room where I so oft have wept, Room wherein my dead have lain, Wrapped away from care and pain, When my earthly day is done, Burdens dropped and rest begun, Life and thought and being fled-- Who will love thee in my stead?

Who will make thee fair and sweet, Bid the sun thy casements greet, Open all thy windows fair To the incense-laden air? From the garden bring the rose, And at daylight’s dreamy close See the moon’s pale splendor fall On the chamber’s inmost wall?

I would charm thee, if I could, Unto all that’s bright and good, For her sake who after me Sometime shall find rest in thee. I would weave a spell so rare-- Half a rhyme and half a prayer-- That nor grief nor pain nor sin Through thy doors should enter in!

If she dreameth maiden dreams, Be they calm as sunlit streams; If in some far, golden year A young mother shall lie here With a fair child on her breast, Cradled into softest rest, Lo! I charge thee, for my sake, Holy care of her to take!

If some woman, half dismayed, Here shall see her beauty fade, See a shadow slowly pass O’er her image in the glass, Comfort her, I pray thee! Spread Wings of peace above her head; Bid thine angels guard to keep Over her, the while I sleep!