In Memoriam A. H. H. · Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Chapter 80: LXXX

I wage not any feud with Death For changes wrought on form and face; No lower life that earth’s embrace May breed with him, can fright my faith.

Eternal process moving on, From state to state the spirit walks; And these are but the shatter’d stalks Or ruined chrysalis of one.

Nor blame I Death, because he bare The use of virtue out of earth; I know transplanted human worth Will bloom to profit, otherwhere.

For this alone on Death I wreak The wrath that garners in my heart; He put our lives so far apart We cannot hear each other speak.