Memories of President Lincoln（六）

    Coffin¹ that passes through lanes and streets，

    Through day and night with the great cloud darkening the

    land，

    With the pomp of the inloop'd flags with the cities draped in

    black，

    With the show of the States themselves as of crape-veil'd

    women standing²，

    With processions long and winding³ and the flambeaus of the

    night，

    With the countless⁴ torches lit， with the silent sea of faces and

    the unbared heads，

    With the waiting depot⁵， the arriving coffin， and the sombre

    faces，

    With dirges⁶ through the night， with the thousand voices

    rising strong and solemn，

    With all the mournful voices of the dirges pour'd around the

    coffin，

    The dim-lit churches and the shuddering⁷ organs - where

    amid these you journey，

    With the tolling⁸ tolling bells' perpetual clang，

    Here， coffin that slowly passes，

    I give you my sprig of lilac.