Classic Poem

Beautiful soul, that for too brief a space
Look'd on this world of ours through human eyes—
The thought of thy mute presence sanctifies
For us who lov'd and love thee, every place
Oft brighten'd with the sunshine of thy face:
But chief we dally with that fond surmise
Here, where thou didst all household charities
Daily dispense with meek unconscious grace,
And where thy nobleness shone fully forth—
The crown and consummation of thy worth—
When unembitter'd, unsubdued by pain,
‘Like a bright saint,’ as said my poet-friend,
Thou didst thy heavy burden long sustain,
Serene and uncomplaining to the end.