Take the cloak from his face, and at first <br /> Let the corpse do its worst! <br /> <br />How he lies in his rights of a man! <br /> Death has done all death can. <br />And, absorbed in the new life he leads, <br /> He recks not, he heeds <br />Nor his wrong nor my vengeance; both strike <br /> On his senses alike, <br />And are lost in the solemn and strange <br /> Surprise of the change. <br />Ha, what avails death to erase <br /> His offence, my disgrace? <br />I would we were boys as of old <br /> In the field, by the fold: <br />His outrage, God's patience, man's scorn <br /> Were so easily borne! <br /> <br />I stand here now, he lies in his place: <br /> Cover the face!<br /><br />Robert Browning<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/after/
