It came in the sweet hushed silence Of dawn, on Ascension Day. Heralded by the rising sun Came a host in bright array, Messengers from the King of Kings, To the statesman, old and grey.
And he rose without a tremor, And approached the silent gate, For the call had come to "enter," And he could no longer wait, Though he left the nation mourning And his sweet wife desolate.
With unfaltering faith he entered, For the lamp of Faith he bore; Passed through shadows into sunlight, Entered life through death's dark door. O, the human love behind him! O, the Love Divine before!
Full of years, and crowned with honour, He has entered into rest, Calmly as a little child would Nestling to a mother's breast. Fitting end to such a blameless Life this death divinely blest.
Hushed the glorious voice which ever Rang with truths great and sublime; Deaf the ears which ever opened To the woes of every clime; Cold the hands which have engraven Marks upon the walls of Time.
Shrouded by the dusky shadows Which conceal its lustre bright, This great star has made its transit To another world of light; Where it shines in bright effulgence Hidden from our mortal sight.
