Musings in Maoriland
Memoria in Eterna
Memoria in Eterna.
Still she lives in her picture there,
Memoria in eterna;
Lips so ruddy and brow so fair,
Memoria in eterna;
Cheeks with tint of the roses red,
Swan-like neck and majestic head,
Her spirit's there,—she is not dead,
Memoria in eterna.
Violet eyes and golden hair,
Memoria in eterna;
Gazing still with her queenly air,
Memoria in eterna;
Into memory's soul she peers,
Lighting up all the vanished years,
Joys and sorrows and smiles and tears,
Memoria in eterna.
Call ye the canvas lifeless?—No—
Memoria in eterna;
Her face is there with a deathless glow,
Memoria in eterna;
Glorious art, 'twas God that gave
The painter's palette and brush to save
Faces of fond ones from the grave,
Memoria in eterna.