When? ( Death )

Some day in Spring,

When earth is fair and glad,

And sweet birds sing,

And fewest hearts are sad —

Shall I die then?

Ah! me, no matter when;

I know it will be sweet

To leave the homes of men

And rest beneath the sod,

To kneel and kiss Thy feet

In Thy home, O my God!

Some Summer morn

Of splendors and of songs,

When roses hide the thorn

And smile — the spirit's wrongs —

Shall I die then?

Ah! me, no matter when;

I know I will rejoice

To leave the haunts of men

And lie beneath the sod,

To hear Thy tender voice

In Thy home, O my God!

Some Autumn eve,

When chill clouds drape the sky,

When bright things grieve

Because all fair things die —

Shall I die then?

Ah! me, no matter when,

I know I shall be glad,

Away from the homes of men,

Adown beneath the sod,

My heart will not be sad

In Thy home, O my God!

Some Wintry day,

When all skies wear a gloom,

And beauteous May

Sleeps in December's tomb,

Shall I die then?

Ah! me, no matter when;

My soul shall throb with joy

To leave the haunts of men

And sleep beneath the sod.

Ah! there is no alloy

In Thy joys, O my God!

Haste, death! be fleet;

I know it will be sweet

To rest beneath the sod,

To kneel and kiss Thy feet

In heaven, O my God!