Poems (Eaton)/The Sister's Death
THE SISTER'S DEATH.
OUR sister-band is severed By death's unpitying blow,And she, the youngest, dearest-loved, Was soonest called to go—And glad the spirit bade adieu To its worn robes of clay,And clothed in garments pure and new, Soared to its home away.
As fades the glowing sunlight Before our longing gaze—As withers ere the night, the flower First touched by morning's rays—As dies the sweetest lingering strain Of music on the ear,So soft the sound, the list'ner stills His tremulous breath to hear—
So dies our best and gentlest, With heart yet fresh and warm;'Tis e'er "the bird that sweetest sings Can least endure the storm;"The flower that blooms the loveliest Is first to fade at even,And the heart that beats the truest here Is soonest fit for Heaven.
Yet mourn we not, dear sister, As those of hope bereft,Nor would we vainly call thee back To us in sorrow left—But trusting that our Father's love All knowledge doth excel,We wait His time to follow thee, In deathless life to dwell.