(Written during sickness).
Soul
Oh! say must I leave this world of light
With its sparkling streams and sunshine bright,
Its budding flowers, its glorious sky?
Vain tis to ask meI cannot die!
Angel
But, sister, list! in the realms above,
That happy home of eternal love,
Are flowers more fair, and skies more clear
Than those thou dost cling to so fondly here.
Soul
Ah! yes, but to reach that home of light
I must pass through the fearful vale of night;
And my soul with alarm doth shuddering cry
O angel, I tell thee, I dare not die!
Angel
Ah! mortal beloved, in that path untried
Will I be, as ever, still at thy side,
Through gloom to guide till, deaths shadows passed,
Thou nearest, unharmed, Gods throne at last.
Soul
Alas! too many close ties of love
Around my wavering heart are wove!
Fond, tender voices, press me to stay
Thinkst thou from them I would pass away?
Daily my mother, with anguish wild,
Bends oer the couch of her dying child,
And one, nearer still, with silent tears,
Betrays his anguish, his gloomy fears
Yes, even now, while to thee I speak,
Are hot drops falling upon my cheek;
Think you Id break from so close a tie?
No, my guardian angel, I cannot die!
Angel
Poor child of earth! how closely clings
Thy heart to earth and to earthly things!
Wilt thou still revolt if I whisper low
That thy Father in Heaven wills it so
Wills that with Him thou shouldst henceforth dwell,
To pray for those whom thou lovest so well,
Till a time shall come when youll meet again,
To forget for ever lifes grief and pain?
Soul
Spirit, thy words have a potent power
Oer my sinking heart in this awful hour,
And thy soft-breathed hopes, with magic might.
Have chased from my soul the shades of night.
Console the dear ones I part from now,
Who hang oer my couch with pallid brow,
Tell them well meet in yon shining sky
And, Saviour tender, now let me die!
