ISABEL

Fare-thee-well:

On my soul the toll of bell

Trembles. Thou art calmly sleeping

While my weary heart is weeping:

I cannot listen to thy knell:

Fare-thee-well.

Sleep and rest:

Sorrow shall not pain thy breast,

Pangs and pains that pierce the mortal

Cannot enter at the portal

Of the Mansion of the Blest:

Sleep and rest.

Slumber sweet,

Heart that nevermore will beat

At the footsteps of thy lover;

All thy cares and fears are over.

In thy silent winding-sheet

Slumber sweet.

Fare-thee-well:

In the garden and the dell

Where thou lov'dst to stroll and meet me,

Nevermore thy kiss shall greet me,

Nevermore, O Isabel!

Fare-thee-well.

We shall meet —

Where the wings of angels beat:

When my toils and cares are over,

Thou shalt greet again thy lover —

Robed and crowned at Jesus’ feet

We shall meet.

Watch and wait

At the narrow, golden gate;

Watch my coming,— wait my greeting,

For my years are few and fleeting

And my love shall not abate:

Watch and wait.

So farewell,

O my darling Isabel;

Till we meet in the supernal

Mansion and with love eternal

In the golden city dwell,

Fare-thee-well.