E-Text

Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems

Part Four: Time and Eternity 71. Wait till the majesty of Death

PRECEDENCE.


Wait till the majesty of Death

Invests so mean a brow!

Almost a powdered footman

Might dare to touch it now!


Wait till in everlasting robes

This democrat is dressed,

Then prate about "preferment"

And "station" and the rest!


Around this quiet courtier

Obsequious angels wait!

Full royal is his retinue,

Full purple is his state!


A lord might dare to lift the hat

To such a modest clay,

Since that my Lord, "the Lord of lords"

Receives unblushingly!