Read by Mrs. Coates at a meeting of the Browning Society on Thursday, March 2nd, 1916 on the death (28 February 1916) of Henry James:
YOU were not of one country. To one Race,
Rather, you gave your spirit's full devotion.
Careless a little as to bounds of space
Set by dividing hill or severing ocean,
An exiled patriot, wherever dwelling,
An alien on either side the sea,
You gave your loyalty, through love's compelling,
To English speech and English liberty.
We claim you—both, drawn closer through your coming,
England and she that nursed you at her breast.
Beauty you loved, and ne'er from truth went roaming,
Through all the long desire, the ardent quest.
Ah, never quite at home, but ever homing,
Passionate pilgrim, you have found your rest!
"Henry James" by Florence Earle Coates. Published in Poems (1916) Volume II.
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