To You Who Have Lost

I know!    I know!--     The ceaseless ache, the emptiness, the woe,--     The pang of loss,--     The strength that sinks beneath so sore a cross.     "--Heedless and careless, still the world wags on,     And leaves me broken ...    Oh, my son!    my son!"     Yet--think of this!--     Yea, rather think on this!--     He died as few men get the chance to die,--     Fighting to save a world's morality.     He died the noblest death a man may die,     Fighting for God, and Right, and Liberty;--     And such a death is Immortality.     "He died unnoticed in the muddy trench."     Nay,--God was with him, and he did not blench;     Filled him with holy fires that nought could quench,     And when He saw his work below was done,     He gently called to him,--"My son!    My son!     I need thee for a greater work than this.     Thy faith, thy zeal, thy fine activities     Are worthy of My larger liberties;"--     --Then drew him with the hand of welcoming grace,     And, side by side, they climbed the heavenly ways.