Young Life came carolling over the earth;
Careless and happy and gay was he: —
Courting the sunshine in radiant mirth,
Chasing the shadows in rosy glee:
Flowery and green was the path that he trode;
Fair sky above him and bright world beneath;
When at the turn of the winding road,
Muffled and dark, stood the form of Death!

Life grew cold in the dreary shade;
Faded his laughter and ceased his song;
Over the heavens and across the glade
Brooding shadows fell, black and long!
Motionless — lost in a maze of fear —
Life stood and gazed on the ghastly Thing,
Then with a wild cry, lone and drear,
Sank on the cold earth shuddering.

Death stooped kindly and stilled his moans —
Bore him away from the baleful spot,
Whilst he murmured in tender tones,
" Child of the frail world, fear me not!
Mourn not this earth with its languishing bloom;
Grieve not to go from its darkness and strife;
Beauty is brighter beyond the tomb!
And death alone leads to perfect life!"