Letter

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2 id="id00154" style="margin-top: 4em"> THE LETTER</h2> <h5 id="id00155"> EDWARD ROWLAND SILL, DIED FEBRUARY 27, 1887</h5> <p id="id00156">  I held his letter in my hand,<br/> And even while I read<br/> The lightning flashed across the land<br/> The word that he was dead.<br/></p> <p id="id00157">  How strange it seemed! His living voice<br/> Was speaking from the page<br/> Those courteous phrases, tersely choice,<br/> Light-hearted, witty, sage.<br/></p> <p id="id00158">  I wondered what it was that died!<br/> The man himself was here,<br/> His modesty, his scholar's pride,<br/> His soul serene and clear.<br/></p> <p id="id00159">  These neither death nor time shall dim,<br/> Still this sad thing must be—<br/> Henceforth I may not speak to him,<br/> Though he can speak to me!<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />