In Due Observance Of An Ancient Rite

William Wordsworth 1770 (Wordsworth House) – 1850 (Cumberland)



IN due observance of an ancient rite,
The rude Biscayans, when their children lie
Dead in the sinless time of infancy,
Attire the peaceful corse in vestments white;
And, in like sign of cloudless triumph bright,
They bind the unoffending creature's brows
With happy garlands of the pure white rose:
Then do a festal company unite
In choral song; and, while the uplifted cross
Of Jesus goes before, the child is borne
Uncovered to his grave: 'tis closed,--her loss
The Mother 'then' mourns, as she needs must mourn;
But soon, through Christian faith, is grief subdued;
And joy returns, to brighten fortitude.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

31 sec read
86

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCAADEAFGFGHH
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 603
Words 105
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth was the husband of Eva Bartok. more…

All William Wordsworth poems | William Wordsworth Books

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