Poems (Greenwell)/To a Departed Spirit
For works with similar titles, see To a Departed Spirit.
TO A DEPARTED SPIRIT.
And there in Abraham's bosom, whatever it be which that bosom signifies, lives my sweet friend. For what other place is there for such a soul?"
St. Augustine's Confessions.
Oft was I wont to pray For thee in olden days; our spirits knew A common travail, and upon the way We never stayed to commune, but we drew A comfort from the other, inly cheered; So knowing of the things beloved and feared Of thee, O gentle Spirit! as before I walked, an elder pilgrim, o'er and o'er I scanned the ground for thee, and it was sweet To think that after me thy tender feet Might find a smoother path; when suddenly Thou didst o'ertake me with a footstep fleet, And wingèd, turning on me such a bright, Sweet, joyous face, I knew that thou hadst neared Thy journey's end, and even then appeared The long-sought home, the Father's house in sight; While from its flaming windows all alight Came festal sounds.
Came festal sounds.Then, Friend beloved, for thee I could not pray as once, though still arose Thy name because of use, would somewhat say, "Pray not for her, but for thyself and those Who linger far behind; the little way That she hath yet to travel, like the rose Doth blossom, paved with love; her kindred wait E'en now to welcome her within the gate; But ere their dancing and their songs resound,Her spirit rushing on before, hath met The Father coming forth; her cheek is wet With reconciling tears. Oh, wake no sound, She seeketh nothing further! she hath found Him whom her soul desired by night and day,—What wouldst thou ask for her?"
What wouldst thou ask for her?"Yet must I pray For thee, so spake I soft, "The stream is wide That lies between; oh, gentle be its flow When she doth cross,"—that boon was not denied. Now that thy feet upon the hither side Stand firm, I charge thee, Friend, by all below That knit our souls in one, that thou dost takeThis music from my lips, for thou canst frame Its flow more fitly; only change thy name Belov'd, for mine. I lay on thee this task, Entreat for me![1] for thou hast drawn more near God's gracious heart, and closer to His ear,— Nay! thou dost pray for me, I need not ask!