Classic Poem

Tears shall not fall in the world of joy
Towards which our steps are tending.
Our crowns shall be gold without alloy,
Our songs have no grief-tone blending.

Tears shall not glisten in eyes we love,
Our hearts for their dear sakes grieving,
When they reach the land of light above,
This world of shadows leaving.

Tears shall not moisten the cheek we press
With the kiss of friendly greeting:
All free from sorrow, the fond caress
That awaits us in that meeting,

Where the promise fulfilled to us shall be,
And tears are wiped from all faces;
Where the heart that throbbed so wearily
Shall find of grief no traces.

A little while through the night fall tears;
But the glad bright day is dawning:
Our sins shall vanish, our griefs, our fears,—
Joy comes with the coming morning.