Dead he lay among his books! br The peace of God was in his looks. br br As the statues in the gloom br Watch o'er Maximilian's tomb, br br So those volumes from their shelves br Watched him, silent as themselves. br br Ah! his hand will nevermore br Turn their storied pages o'er; br br Nevermore his lips repeat br Songs of theirs, however sweet. br br Let the lifeless body rest! br He is gone, who was its guest; br br Gone, as travellers haste to leave br An inn, nor tarry until eve. br br Traveller! in what realms afar, br In what planet, in what star, br br In what vast, aerial space, br Shines the light upon thy face? br br In what gardens of delight br Rest thy weary feet to-night? br br Poet! thou, whose latest verse br Was a garland on thy hearse; br br Thou hast sung, with organ tone, br In Deukalion's life, thine own; br br On the ruins of the Past br Blooms the perfect flower at last.