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Not of these high themes I question—but, O friend, I fain would know
How beyond the silent river all the long years come and go!
How beyond the silent river all the long years come and go!
Where they are, our well-beloved, who have vanished from our sight,
As the stars fade out of heaven at the dawning of the light;
As the stars fade out of heaven at the dawning of the light;
How they live and how thy love there, in the "somewhere" of our dreams;
In the "city lying four-square" by the everlasting streams!
In the "city lying four-square" by the everlasting streams!
Oh, the mystery of being! Which is better, life or death?
Thou hast tried them both, O comrade, yet thy voice ne'er answereth!
Thou hast tried them both, O comrade, yet thy voice ne'er answereth!
Hast thou grown as grow the angels? Doth thy spirit still aspire
As the flame that soareth upward, mounting higher still, and higher?
As the flame that soareth upward, mounting higher still, and higher?
In the flush of early manhood all thy earthly days were done;
Short thy struggle and endeavor ere the peace of heaven was won.
Short thy struggle and endeavor ere the peace of heaven was won.
But for us who stayed behind thee—oh! our hands are worn with toil,
And upon our souls, it may be, are the stains of earthly moil.
And upon our souls, it may be, are the stains of earthly moil.
Hast thou kept the lofty beauty and the glory of thy youth?
Dost thou see our temples whitening, smiling softly in thy ruth?
Dost thou see our temples whitening, smiling softly in thy ruth?
