Explore "John Boyle o'Reilly. Sepulture -- Boston, August 13, 1890" by James Whitcomb Riley on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Dead? this peerless man of men -- / Patriot, Poet, Citizen! -- / Dead? and ye weep where he lies / Mute, with folded eyes!
Courage! All his tears are done; / Mark him, dauntless, face the sun! / He hath led you. -- Still, as true, / He is leading you.
Folded eyes and folded hands / Typify divine commands / He is hearkening to, intent / Beyond wonderment.
'Tis promotion that has come / Thus upon him. Stricken dumb / Be your moanings dolorous! / God knows what He does.
Rather as your chief, _aspire_! -- / Rise and seize his toppling lyre, / And sing Freedom, Home, and Love, / And the rights thereof!
Ere in selfish grief ye sink, / Come! catch rapturous breath and think -- / Think what sweep of wing hath he, / Loosed in endless liberty.