When? (Death)

Some day in Spring,      When earth is fair and glad,     And sweet birds sing,      And fewest hearts are sad --         Shall I die then?         Ah! me, no matter when;     I know it will be sweet         To leave the homes of men      And rest beneath the sod,     To kneel and kiss Thy feet      In Thy home, O my God!     Some Summer morn      Of splendors and of songs,     When roses hide the thorn      And smile -- the spirit's wrongs --         Shall I die then?         Ah! me, no matter when;     I know I will rejoice         To leave the haunts of men      And lie beneath the sod,     To hear Thy tender voice      In Thy home, O my God!     Some Autumn eve,      When chill clouds drape the sky,     When bright things grieve      Because all fair things die --         Shall I die then?         Ah! me, no matter when,     I know I shall be glad,         Away from the homes of men,      Adown beneath the sod,     My heart will not be sad      In Thy home, O my God!     Some Wintry day,      When all skies wear a gloom,     And beauteous May      Sleeps in December's tomb,         Shall I die then?         Ah! me, no matter when;     My soul shall throb with joy         To leave the haunts of men      And sleep beneath the sod.     Ah! there is no alloy      In Thy joys, O my God!     Haste, death! be fleet;     I know it will be sweet      To rest beneath the sod,     To kneel and kiss Thy feet      In heaven, O my God!