C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Away
By James Whitcomb Riley (18491916)
I
That he is dead.—He is just away!
He has wandered into an unknown land,
It needs must be, since he lingers there.
For the old-time step and the glad return,—
In the love of There as the love of Here;
Of his warrior strength to his country’s foes.
When the sweetest love of his life he gave
Pure as the eyes they were likened to.
As reverently as his lips have prayed;
Was dear to him as the mocking-bird;
A writhing honey-bee wet with rain.—
He is not dead—he is just away!