Passing Away

Life's Vesper-bells are ringing

In the temple of my heart,

And yon sunset, sure, is singing

“Nunc dimittis — Now depart!”

Ah! the eve is golden-clouded,

But to-morrow's sun shall shine

On this weary body shrouded;

But my soul doth not repine.

“Let me see the sun descending,

I will see his light no more,

For my life, this eve, is ending;

And to-morrow on the shore

That is fair, and white, and golden,

I will meet my God; and ye

Will forget not all the olden,

Happy hours ye spent with me.

“I am glad that I am going;

What a strange and sweet delight

Is thro’ all my being flowing

When I know that, sure, to-night

I will pass from earth and meet Him

Whom I loved thro’ all the years,

Who will crown me when I greet Him,

And will kiss away my tears.

“My last sun! haste! hurry westward!

In the dark of this to-night

My poor soul that hastens rest-ward

`With the Lamb’ will find the light;

Death is coming — and I hear him,

Soft and stealthy cometh he;

But I do not believe I fear him,

God is now so close to me.”

Fell the daylight's fading glimmer

On a face so wan and white;

Brighter was his soul, while dimmer

Grew the shadows of the night;

And he died — and God was near him;

I knelt by him to forgive;

And I sometimes seem to hear him

Whisper — “Live as I did live.”