A SONG OF MEMORY.
89
Crossed it singing! but to me
As I watched that company,
Strong and beautiful and bold
Seemed they all, and I was weak,
And the river still was cold,
And the country far to seek!
But since Thou didst leave my side,
Following after, with my tear
Still upon thy cheek undried,
Seems the river far less wide,
And the hither shore more near:
Ever more that shore was dear
For the sake of one unseen,
So He shows me it more clear
By the light of what had been,
For like lichen on the stone
Ever round each well-known thing
Still this heart of mine hath grown,
Firm to fix and close to cling:
So God beckons by a Hand
I have clasped, unto His land;
So He bids its Dawn arise
On me, through beloved eyes;
So the new, unearthly song
Seems a strain remembered long;
With the angel voices blend
Tones familiar, seraphs wear
Looks I loved on earth; oh, friend,
Kind companion, Thou art there!
As I watched that company,
Strong and beautiful and bold
Seemed they all, and I was weak,
And the river still was cold,
And the country far to seek!
But since Thou didst leave my side,
Following after, with my tear
Still upon thy cheek undried,
Seems the river far less wide,
And the hither shore more near:
Ever more that shore was dear
For the sake of one unseen,
So He shows me it more clear
By the light of what had been,
For like lichen on the stone
Ever round each well-known thing
Still this heart of mine hath grown,
Firm to fix and close to cling:
So God beckons by a Hand
I have clasped, unto His land;
So He bids its Dawn arise
On me, through beloved eyes;
So the new, unearthly song
Seems a strain remembered long;
With the angel voices blend
Tones familiar, seraphs wear
Looks I loved on earth; oh, friend,
Kind companion, Thou art there!
