Only a few days more and they must go —
The ones we love — to answer honour's call;
We stifle down the pain we dare not show —
No tears must fall.

Busy brains are working day and night,
Loving hands are making needful things,
The last days pass unnoticed, taking flight,
On swallows' wings.

Only a few hours more, time hurries on,
Not all our prayers nor tears can bid it wait,
Soon all we love and live for will be gone,
And we be desolate.

Only one hour more, oh! that last hour!
It too — most precious one — must pass away!
Will no guardian-spirit's unseen power,
Entreat it to delay?

Only a moment more, pale lips are dumb,
They try to smile " good-bye, " for none must see
Into the secret depths of souls grown numb
With deadly agony.

The moment's pass'd, bright eyes with tears are blind,
No need to battle longer with distress;
We only know that we are left behind
In utter loneliness.