Poetical Remains of the Late Mrs Hemans/To an Aged Friend

by Felicia Hemans

For other versions of this work, see Records of Passing Thought. XVII. To an Aged Friend.

XVII.

TO AN AGED FRIEND.

Not long thy voice amongst us may be heard,
Servant of God!—thy day is almost done—
The charm now hung upon thy look and word
Is that which lingers round the setting sun,
A power which bright decay hath meekly won
Still from revering love. Yet both the sense
Of life immortal—progress but begun—
Pervade thy mien with such clear eloquence,
That hope, not sadness, breathes from thy decline;
And the loved flowers which round thee smile farewell,
Of more than vernal glory seem to tell,
By thy pure spirit touched with light divine;
While we, to whom its parting gleams are given,
Forget the grave in trustful thoughts of Heaven.