A Great Man Departed.
There was a festive hall with mirth resounding ;1
Beauty and wit, and friendliness surrounding ;2
With minstrelsy above, and dancing feet re-
bounding.3
bounding.3
And at the height came news, that held sus-
pended4
pended4
The sparkling glass !— till slow the hand de-
scended—5
scended—5
And cheeks grew pale and straight—and all the
mirth was ended.6
mirth was ended.6
Beneath a sunny sky, ’twas heard with wonder,7
A flash had cleft a lofty tree asunder,8
Without a previous cloud—and with no rolling
thunder.9
thunder.9
Strong was the stem — its boughs above all
’thralling—10
’thralling—10
And in its roots and sap no cankers galling—11
Prosperity was perfect, while Death’s hand was
falling.12
falling.12
Man’s body is less safe than any tree ;13
We build our ship in strong security—14
A Finger, from the dark, points to the trembling
sea.15
sea.15
Man, like his knowledge, and his soul’s en-
deavour,16
deavour,16
Is framed for no fixed altitude—but ever17
Moves onward : the first pause, returns all to the
Giver.18
Giver.18
Riches and health, fine taste, all means of
pleasure ;19
pleasure ;19
Success in highest efforts—fame’s best treasure—20
All these were thine,—o’ertopped—and over-
weighed the measure.21
weighed the measure.21
But in recording thus life’s night-shade warning,22
We hold the memory of thy kind heart’s
morning :—23
morning :—23
Man’s intellect is not man’s sole nor best adorning.24