THE DYING HUSBAND TO HIS WIFE.
"Bend closer, dearest, I would speak
Though strength be failing, voice be weak,
Fain would I in thy listening ear
Breathe words which only thou should'st hear.
Though strength be failing, voice be weak,
Fain would I in thy listening ear
Breathe words which only thou should'st hear.
My life, now ebbing fast away,
Had been a dull, cold winter's day,
Had not thy love dispelled the gloom,
And caused this desert heart to bloom.
Had been a dull, cold winter's day,
Had not thy love dispelled the gloom,
And caused this desert heart to bloom.
Nay, weep not, darling, see yon star
So calmly shining from afar;
'Tis like thine eyes, whose holy light
E'er turned to day my darkest night.
So calmly shining from afar;
'Tis like thine eyes, whose holy light
E'er turned to day my darkest night.
The sickle speaks the Reaper near,
E'en now his footsteps greet my ear;
Hark! voices bid me come away,
They gleam in sight, the gates of day!
E'en now his footsteps greet my ear;
Hark! voices bid me come away,
They gleam in sight, the gates of day!
Crown, harp, and raiment spotless, white,
Will soon be mine, in the land of light;
Then wear no mourning robes for men
White, like thy soul, let thy garments be."
Will soon be mine, in the land of light;
Then wear no mourning robes for men
White, like thy soul, let thy garments be."
A look, a smile, a murmured prayer,
And those pale lips closed, but the hallowed air
Still echoed the dear, familiar tone,
"In heaven the true heart claims its own."
And those pale lips closed, but the hallowed air
Still echoed the dear, familiar tone,
"In heaven the true heart claims its own."
The uncaged spirit upward sprung,
While its "welcome home" was by angels sung;
And now, beside the crystal sea,
He watching waits, dear heart for thee.
While its "welcome home" was by angels sung;
And now, beside the crystal sea,
He watching waits, dear heart for thee.