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."