ABSTRACT
Published 1874, Cabinet Edition. Written or pondered 31 May 1870 (Mem. ii 97–8; see CT, p. 389), on the occasion of the funeral of T.’s friend and neighbour Sir John Simeon, who died 21 May at Fribourg. E.T. wrote to H.T.: ‘Nightingales were singing, beautiful roses were all about the house and gardens and lilacs were in full bloom and the contrast only added to the sadness’ (1 June 1870); and 28 Nov. 1871: ‘Thou wilt be glad to hear that Papa has done a little song about the day of our dear Sir John’s burial. It is not quite finished yet, perhaps’ (Letters of E.T., pp. 258, 279). The ‘three dead men’ (l. 15) were Arthur Hallam, Henry Lushington and Simeon (T.). Cp. the elegy In the Valley of Cauteretz (p. 590).
