O dearer far than light and life are dear,
Full oft our human foresight I deplore;
Trembling, through my unworthiness, with fear
That friends, by death disjoined, may meet no more!
Misgivings, hard to vanquish or control,
Mix with the day, and cross the hour of rest;
While all the future, for thy purer soul,
With “sober certainties” of love is blest.
That sigh of thine,not meant for human ear,
Tellsthat these words thy humbleness offend;
Yet bear me up— else faltering in the rear
Of a steep march: supportme to the end.
Peace settles where the intellect is meek,
And Love is dutiful in thought and deed;
Through Thee communion with that Love I seek:
The faith Heaven strengthens where he moulds the Creed.