Bring, in this timeless grave to throw, br No cypress, sombre on the snow; br Snap not from the bitter yew br His leaves that live December through; br Break no rosemary, bright with rime br And sparkling to the cruel clime; br Nor plod the winter land to look br For willows in the icy brook br To cast them leafless round him: bring br No spray that ever buds in spring. br br But if the Christmas field has kept br Awns the last gleaner overstept, br Or shrivelled flax, whose flower is blue br A single season, never two; br Or if one haulm whose year is o'er br Shivers on the upland frore, br --Oh, bring from hill and stream and plain br Whatever will not flower again, br To give him comfort: he and those br Shall bide eternal bedfellows br Where low upon the couch he lies br Whence he never shall arise.