ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND

[ZaunköniG]

ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.


THE grave, dear sufferer, had for thee no gloom,
And Death no terrors when his summons came :
Unto the dust returns the mortal frame,
But the SOUL spurns the bondage of the tomb,

And soars to flourish in immortal bloom !
Thou hast attained, at last, thy glorious aim
Heaven and its joys! through faith in Christ's dear name.
Why should we grieve, then, at thy early doom ?

If thy freed spirit be indeed at rest,
And singing sweetly in another sphere ;
If, as we trust, thou art among the blest,

Redeemed from all that made life painful here ;
Songs of rejoicing far become us best,
For light resplendent beams around thy bier !




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