188
poems.
And to our spirits' inmost depths
Thy Source and Soul reveal.
Teach us the signet of His hand
On thy pure page to trace:
So may our trusting souls secure
The treasures of His grace.
Thy Source and Soul reveal.
Teach us the signet of His hand
On thy pure page to trace:
So may our trusting souls secure
The treasures of His grace.
THE EARLY DEAD.
Flowers for the early dead!
The rose, the lily, and the violet bring,
Around their quiet resting-place to shed,—
A precious offering.
The rose, the lily, and the violet bring,
Around their quiet resting-place to shed,—
A precious offering.
Joy for the early dead!
Joy for the meed of perfect rapture given,
Earth's phantom flash before that beam has fled,
Full-orbed and bright, of heaven.
Joy for the meed of perfect rapture given,
Earth's phantom flash before that beam has fled,
Full-orbed and bright, of heaven.
Smiles for the early dead!
We grieve not when, his day of labor o'er,
The weary peasant bows his fainting head
At his low cottage door.
We grieve not when, his day of labor o'er,
The weary peasant bows his fainting head
At his low cottage door.
Tears for the early dead!
The bright and beautiful from earth set free:
Yes! drop upon their flower-encircled bed
Tears of sweet ecstasy.
The bright and beautiful from earth set free:
Yes! drop upon their flower-encircled bed
Tears of sweet ecstasy.
