to ———, in absence.
167
The cloud that darkened long our sky of love,
And flung a shadow o'er life's Eden bloom,
Hath deepened into night, around, above,—
But night beneficent and void of gloom,—
And flung a shadow o'er life's Eden bloom,
Hath deepened into night, around, above,—
But night beneficent and void of gloom,—
The dews of peace and faith's sweet quiet bringing,
And memory's starlight, as joy's sunlight fades,
While, like the nightingale's melodious singing,
The voice of Hope steals out amid the shades.
And memory's starlight, as joy's sunlight fades,
While, like the nightingale's melodious singing,
The voice of Hope steals out amid the shades.
Now it hath come and gone, the shadowed day,
The time of farewells that beheld us part,
I miss thy presence from my side alway,—
Thy smile's sweet comfort raining on my heart.
The time of farewells that beheld us part,
I miss thy presence from my side alway,—
Thy smile's sweet comfort raining on my heart.
Yes, we are parted. Now I call thy name,
And listen long, but no dear voice replies:
I miss thine earnest praise, thy gentle blame,
And the mute blessing of thy loving eyes.
And listen long, but no dear voice replies:
I miss thine earnest praise, thy gentle blame,
And the mute blessing of thy loving eyes.
Yet no, not parted. Still in life and power
Thy spirit cometh over wild and wave,
Is ever near me in the trial-hour,
A ready help, a presence strong and brave.
Thy spirit cometh over wild and wave,
Is ever near me in the trial-hour,
A ready help, a presence strong and brave.
