In Remembrance

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <p class="center"><span class="huge">IN REMEMBRANCE</span></p> <p class="center">[W. L. C.]</p> <span class="giant">S</span><small>IT</small> closer, friends, around the board!<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Death grants us yet a little time.</span><br/> Now let the cheering cup be poured,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And welcome song and jest and rhyme.</span><br/> Enjoy the gifts that fortune sends.<br/> <span style="margin-left: 5em;">Sit closer, friends!</span><br/> <br/> And yet, we pause. With trembling lip<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">We strive the fitting phrase to make;</span><br/> Remembering our fellowship,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lamenting Destiny's mistake.</span><br/> We marvel much when Fate offends,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 5em;">And claims our friends.</span><br/> <br/> Companion of our nights of mirth,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</SPAN></span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where all were merry who were wise;</span><br/> Does Death quite understand your worth,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And know the value of his prize?</span><br/> I doubt me if he comprehends&mdash;<br/> <span style="margin-left: 5em;">He knows no friends.</span><br/> <br/> And in that realm is there no joy<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of comrades and the jocund sense?</span><br/> Can Death so utterly destroy&mdash;<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">For gladness grant no recompense?</span><br/> And can it be that laughter ends<br/> <span style="margin-left: 5em;">With absent friends?</span><br/> <br/> Oh, scholars whom we wisest call,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who solve great questions at your ease,</span><br/> We ask the simplest of them all,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And yet you cannot answer these!</span><br/> And is it thus your knowledge ends,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 5em;">To comfort friends?</span><br/> <br/> Dear Omar! should You chance to meet<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our Brother Somewhere in the Gloom,</span><br/> Pray give to Him a Message sweet,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</SPAN></span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">From Brothers in the Tavern Room.</span><br/> He will not ask who 'tis that sends,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 5em;">For We were Friends.</span><br/> <br/> Again a parting sail we see;<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Another boat has left the shore.</span><br/> A kinder soul on board has she<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than ever left the land before.</span><br/> And as her outward course she bends,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 5em;">Sit closer, friends!</span> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />