My mother bare me while she danced,
And christened me in the Tsar’s tavern——
The dim flames of candles and the subdued funeral singing seemed singularly sombre on this bright summer’s day.
“Let the soul of Thy servant, O Christ, rest in peace with the saints, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighings, but life everlasting.”
The deacon responded in a monotone:—
“We pray for the soul of the departed servant of God, Alexis. May every transgression, voluntary and involuntary, be forgiven him.”
The choir chanted:——
“The sobs of those who bewail the dead are: Hallelujah!——”
In the crowd some one burst into sobs; a tremor passed through the church, when the last verse was sung:—
“You who see me voiceless and lifeless come hither, You who love me, give me the last kiss.”