Poems (Curwen)/Deus Vobiscum
Deus Vobiscum.
What, oh what, will the New Year bring?
My muse was silent—I could not sing;
For my thoughts had all gone out to thee,
And my soul was sad from sympathy.
My muse was silent—I could not sing;
For my thoughts had all gone out to thee,
And my soul was sad from sympathy.
I thought of thy vigil so lone and long,
And my lips could frame no words of song
To greet the birth of the new-born year,
For my heart was full of a nameless fear.
And my lips could frame no words of song
To greet the birth of the new-born year,
For my heart was full of a nameless fear.
Poor stricken heart! The New Year's bells
To thee were ringing funeral knells;
Soon, all too soon, thy watch was o'er,
And his feet had passed to the "silent shore."
To thee were ringing funeral knells;
Soon, all too soon, thy watch was o'er,
And his feet had passed to the "silent shore."
"Life's fitful fever" is over now,
The seal of Peace on thy dear one's brow;
For him has come the dawning clear
Of an eternal glad New Year.
The seal of Peace on thy dear one's brow;
For him has come the dawning clear
Of an eternal glad New Year.
Dear heart! I know thy load of care
And grief must seem too hard to bear,
And on this tide of sorrow tossed
Hope's beacon light is well-nigh lost.
And grief must seem too hard to bear,
And on this tide of sorrow tossed
Hope's beacon light is well-nigh lost.
But He who gave to thee this cross
Can give you strength to bear the loss;
May He thy fainting soul sustain
Till in His haven you meet again!
Can give you strength to bear the loss;
May He thy fainting soul sustain
Till in His haven you meet again!