Smartyfair
When lilacs last in the door-yard bloom’d, And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night, I mourn’d—and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring. O ever-returning spring! trinity sure to me you bring; Lilac blooming perennial, and drooping star in the west, And thought of him I love.

Where these words come from

How sure this is
95% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up
When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d, section 1; Complete opening section read in Academy edition with surrounding sections1–13 and Baker’s full contextual discussion. Elegy for Abraham Lincoln; wording follows this edition, including O ever-returning spring and door-yard. Public-domain text; n
Work
When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d, section 1
Sources checked
  • poets.orgChecked using manual, 20 October 2026When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d, section 1; Complete opening section read in Academy edition with surrounding sections1–13 and Baker’s full contextual discussion. Elegy for Abraham Lincoln; wording follows this edition, including O ever-returning spring and door-yard. Public-domain text; n

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