The lilies clustered fair and tall;
I stood outside the garden wall.
—Celia Thaxter.
Life's lilies grew along his way,
In beauty clad, from day to day;
While music, with her lovely strains,
Led him a captive in her chains.
And friends with generous hand and thought
Unto his fireside greetings brought.
"I would have given my life to be
The rose she touched so tenderly."
So sang the poet, and the tone
Awoke for him sweet strains alone.
Ah! earthly love, how vain thou art
To still the longings of the heart!
The Angel Azrael touched his hand,
And life on earth yields the demand;
No more he stands "outside the gate,"
No more hath need to watch or wait!