Poems (Argent)/"She is not Dead but Sleepeth"
"SHE IS NOT DEAD, BUT SLEEPETH."
TO die in sleep! Sad sound the words or sweet On sorrowing hearts, sore bowed in grief today;A journey ended, and two weary feet At rest, passed peacefully from earth away.Methinks it were a blessèd lot and fair,Thus to depart from sorrow, sin, and care.
To die in sleep! The pain of parting spared, The tearful eyes to miss, the last good-byeUnuttered to the dear ones who have shared Each wandering thought, and quivered at each sigh.And thus to die! what grief can be in this,If sealèd lips have felt the Master's kiss?
Like her, I fain would pass away in sleep, As gently as the summer flowers at eve;And friends, I would not any one should weep O'er such an end, look down, and vainly grieve.I would that all of you should smile, and say,"Dear heart, she lives and moves in heaven today!"
And if you came my quiet grave to see, You'd hear my voice where soft the tender grassBends low, and trembles, oh! so wistfully, As if to kiss your footsteps as they pass.You'd see my hair, all glittering like gold,Peep from the king-cups up above the mould.
You'd meet my eyes, far bluer than of yore, In the forget-me-nots that love to creep,A happy light within them evermore, So pure and glad, that you'd forget to weep,But rather catch the rapture of a faceCelestial in its new-born looks of grace!
The smiling sky would sweetly smile on me, And whispers from God's paradise would fallLike ripples from the waves far out at sea, Unearthly sounds, most fair and musical.My dazzling robes as dazzling snow would shine,Washed clean and white in the Great Fount divine!
I think that I should hear you as of old, Should feel the pressure of your heart a-near,So that my spirit's wings would droop and fold About you close, to shield you from all fear;The while you said, "My dearest, it was best;God willed it so, what matters all the rest?"
To die in sleep! Sweet comes the thought to me, To close the tired eyes on earthly strife,And to awaken to eternity, Unto the joys of everlasting life.Oh! do not say that she you loved is dead,But that she sleepeth, and is comforted!