Classic Poem

" Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle "

(2 Peter i. 14)

As o'er the fields by evening's light I stray,
I hear a still, small whisper — " Come away " !
Thou must to this bright, lovely world soon say
Farewell!

The mandate I'd obey, my lamp prepare,
Gird up my garments, give my soul to pray'r,
And say to earth and all that breathe earth's air
Farewell!

Thou sun, to whose parental beam I owe
All that has gladden'd me while here below, —
Moon, stars, and covenant confirming bow,
Farewell!

Ye verdant meads, fair blossoms, stately trees,
Sweet song of birds, and soothing hum of bees, —
Refreshing odours, wafted on the breeze,
Farewell!

Ye patient servants of creation's lord
Whose mighty strength is govern'd by his word,
Who raiment, food and help in toil afford,
Farewell!

Ye feebler, freer tribes, that people air,
Fairy like insects, making buds your lair,
Ye that in water shine, and frolic there,
Farewell!

Books that have been to me as chest of gold,
Which, miser like, I secretly have told,
And for them love, health, friendship, peace have sold,
Farewell!

Blest volume! whose clear truth-writ page, once known,
Fades not before heaven's sunshine or hell's moan,
To thee I say not, of earth's gifts alone,
Farewell!

Dear kindred, whom the lord to me has given,
Must the dear tie that binds us, now be riven?
No! say I only till we meet in heaven,
Farewell!

There shall my newborn senses find new joy,
New sounds, new sights my eyes and ears employ,
Nor fear that word that here brings sad alloy,
Farewell!