Classic Poem

Spirit! I feel that thou
Wilt soon depart,
This body is too weak longer to hold
The immortal part.
The ties of earth are loosening —
They will break;
And thou — even as a joyous bird,
Thy flight will take
To the eternal world.
Say, spirit! say!
Wilt thou return again? once more illume
My house of clay?
Or must this body, which has been to thee
A temple and a dwelling-place,
Perish forever — and forgotten be? Spirit.

Yes! I must leave thee,
I am longing
For the communion of those blessed ones
Within the courts of heaven,
Who tune their golden harps
To the eternal praise of Him, who gives
That home above —
Which they have gained, and which I would attain,
Through Him who came to prove
That God is Love:
And by Him too, I know that thou ,
My earthly tenement,
Within the dust must lie,
And there, turn to corruption,
Even as the seed doth die,
To be revived again.
Death hath no power o'er the soul ,
For Christ hath conquered —
The grave cannot retain its victims
When He cries — come forth!
Then I return to thee —
The victory is gained —
For " Christ hath made us free . "