We who,—appalled, bowed, crusht,—
Within the holy moonlight of his death
Waited the parting breath;
Ah, not in song
Might we our grief prolong.
Silence alone, O golden spirit fled!
Silence alone could mourn that silence dread.
ON THE DEATH OF A GREAT MAN
PHILLIPS BROOKS
When from this mortal scene
A great soul passes to the vast unknown,
Let not in hopeless grief the spirit groan.
Death comes to all, the mighty and the mean.
If by that death the whole world suffer loss,
This be the proof (and lighter thus our cross),
That he for whom the world doth sorely grieve
Greatly hath blessed mankind in that he once did live.
Then, at the parting breath
Let men praise Life, nor idly blame dark Death.
A HERO OF PEACE
IN MEMORY OF ROBERT ROSS: SHOT MARCH 6, 1894
"No bugle on the blast
Calls warriors face to face;
Grim battle being forever past,
Gone is the hero-race."
Ah, no! there is no peace!
If liberty shall live,
Never may freemen dare to cease
Their love, their life to give.
