Delayed till she had ceased to know --

Delayed till in its vest of snow

Her loving bosom lay --

An hour behind the fleeting breath --

Later by just an hour than Death --

Oh lagging Yesterday!

Could she have guessed that it would be --

Could but a crier of the joy

Have climbed the distant hill --

Had not the bliss so slow a pace

Who knows but this surrendered face

Were undefeated still?

Oh if there may departing be

Any forgot by Victory

In her imperial round --

Show them this meek appareled thing

That could not stop to be a king --

Doubtful if it be crowned!