At a Dog's Grave

I     Good night, we say, when comes the time to win     The daily death divine that shuts up sight,     Sleep, that assures for all who dwell therein     Good night.     The shadow shed round those we love shines bright     As love's own face, when death, sleep's gentler twin,     From them divides us even as night from light.     Shall friends born lower in life, though pure of sin,     Though clothed with love and faith to usward plight,     Perish and pass unbidden of us, their kin,     Good night? II     To die a dog's death once was held for shame.     Not all men so beloved and mourned shall lie     As many of these, whose time untimely came     To die.     His years were full: his years were joyous: why     Must love be sorrow, when his gracious name     Recalls his lovely life of limb and eye?     If aught of blameless life on earth may claim     Life higher than death, though death's dark wave rise high,     Such life as this among us never came     To die. III     White violets, there by hands more sweet than they     Planted, shall sweeten April's flowerful air     About a grave that shows to night and day     White violets there.     A child's light hands, whose touch makes flowers more fair,     Keep fair as these for many a March and May     The light of days that are because they were.     It shall not like a blossom pass away;     It broods and brightens with the days that bear     Fresh fruits of love, but leave, as love might pray,     White violets there.