Reunion
WHEN we muse o’er days departed,
Lights that shone but shine no more,
Friends of ours who long since started
O’er the sea without a shore;
Journeying on and journeying ever,
Their freed spirits wing their flight,
Ceasing in their progress never
Towards the fountain-head of light;
Oft we wish that they were near us,—
We might see the friends we love,—
Then there come these words to cheer us,
“Ye shall meet them all above.”
When the sun’s first ray approacheth,
Ushering in the noonday light;
When the noise of day encroacheth
On the silence of the night;
When the dreams depart that blest us
In the hours forever fled,—
In which friends long gone carest us,
Friends we number with the dead,—
Comes this thought, Ye ne’er shall hear them,
Ne’er shall see the friends ye love;
Voices say, “Ye shall be near them,
With them in the world above.”
When within the grave’s enclosure
Ye do drop the silent tear,
Tremble not at its disclosure,
Myriad spirits hover near.
Hark! they whisper, do ye hear not,
Mingling with your rising sighs,
Words that bid you hope, and fear not,
Angel-voices from the skies?
And as dust to dust returneth,—
That which held the gem you love,—
Thine afflicted spirit learneth
It will meet that gem above.
Thus whene’er a friend departeth
In my soul I know ’t is right;
And, although the warm tear starteth,
As he passes from my sight,
I do know that him I cherish
Here on earth shall never die;
That, though all things else shall perish,
He shall live and reign on high.
And, that when a few hours more
Shall have passed, then those I love,
Who have journeyed on before,
I shall meet and greet above.