Classic Poem

Beauty made glad the day, — and sadness glad;
So, without sorrow, to the grove we wandered
Where lie the loved ones in their myrtle bed.
Till then I never knew peace-parted souls
Could unto souls on earth give benediction
Of peace like that which they enjoy in heaven.
For surely, as we sat there in the sun,
On the fresh turf, there seemed a " Pax vobiscum "
Descending on us with each dropping leaf;
And on their graves I think, almost, we laughed,
Recalling words of theirs, and pretty customs,
Until Death seemed, as 't were, a pleasant thing.
And when we mused, " At home we miss them so! "
One said, " They are at home, and He is with them
Who said so sweetly, " Children, come to me!"
And come to me, ye heavy-laden, worn,
And half-spent soldiers of the bitter battle,
And I, will nurse you in my hospital.
The hospitality of heaven is mine:
I am the one Physician, — yours forever;
And when your wounds are healed, we dwell as friends
In the same mansion, and in purer air
Than where you came from: that was fraught with peril —
Oh, most destructive! I was also there.' "
At this there seemed a whispering from beneath
A certain mound that bare the name of " Mother; "
And we all heard a voice as plain as this.

THE VOICE

Matters nothing to me now
Who dispraised or praises me;
I am gone where they and thou,
Fondest friend! ere long must be.

Dread thou to severely sean
Blame that is or may have been;
Meeter Judge there is for man
Than his fellow-soul of sin.

I have known in evil hearts
Rays of goodness, here and there;
And the saint, when he departs,
Hath full need of human prayer.

All are brothers; and the sole
Hope of your hereafter rest
Is that Heaven may bless the whole,
For the One who was the Blest;

By that word He spake for them
Who had speared the Sinless through,
" Father, spare Thou to condemn
Souls that know not what they do. "