Once again the leaves of Summer
O'er the earth's cold breast are strewn,
And across my heart the shadow
Of another loss is thrown:—
Gently her sweet spirit faded
As the Autumn days came on,—
Days that now are gone forever,—
They are gone, and she is gone!
Two were sleeping in thy bosom,
Earth, that were most near to me,—
Near and dear,—a father—brother—
Now, alas, thou claimest three:—
And perchance ere next Spring's blossoms
Shed their perfume on the air,
Cold in death's unbreaking quiet,
I, like them, may slumber there.
Wherefore should we wish to linger
In a barren world like this?
Wherefore shrink to pass the gateway
Leading to immortal bliss?—
Thus the heart speaks when Death's shadow
Brings the lost and dear to light:—
[When the garish day is shining,
Stars are hidden from the sight!]
Teach, O teach me, Heavenly Father,
So to live that Death may seem,
Whene'er he comes, a kindly angel,
Sent to wake me from a dream;—
A dream from which, with clearer vision,
Waking, I again shall see
Her for whom these tears are streaming—
Who, perchance, now weeps for me!