Thekla. A Spirit Voice.

Whither was it that my spirit wended     When from thee my fleeting shadow moved?     Is not now each earthly conflict ended?     Say, have I not lived, have I not loved?     Art thou for the nightingales inquiring     Who entranced thee in the early year     With their melody so joy-inspiring?     Only whilst they loved they lingered here.     Is the lost one lost to me forever?     Trust me, with him joyfully I stray     There, where naught united souls can sever,     And where every tear is wiped away.     And thou, too, wilt find us in yon heaven,     When thy love with our love can compare;     There my father dwells, his sins forgiven,     Murder foul can never reach him there.     And he feels that him no vision cheated     When he gazed upon the stars on high;     For as each one metes, to him 'tis meted;     Who believes it, hath the Holy nigh.     Faith is kept in those blest regions yonder     With the feelings true that ne'er decay.     Venture thou to dream, then, and to wander     Noblest thoughts oft lie in childlike play.