The poem
When they shall close my careless eyes And look their last upon my face, I fear that some will say: "her lies A man of deep disgrace; His thoughts were bare, his words were brittle, He dreamed so much, he did so little.
When they shall seal y coffin lid And this worn mask I know as ME, Shall from the sight of man be hid To all eternity - Some one may say: "His sins were many, His virtues - really, had he any?"
When I shall lie beneath my tomb, Oh do not grave it with my name But let one rose-bush o'er me bloom, And heedless of my shame, With velvet shade and loving laugh, In petals write my epitaph.