Poetical Remains of the Late Mrs Hemans/Passing Away

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For other versions of this work, see Passing Away (Hemans).


PASSING AWAY.




"Passing away" is written on the world, and all the world contains.



It is written on the rose
    In its glory's full array—
Read what those buds disclose—
"Passing away."

It is written on the skies
    Of the soft blue summer day;
It is traced in sunset's dyes—
"Passing away."


It is written on the trees,
    As their young leaves glistening play,
And on brighter things than these—
"Passing away."

It is written on the brow
    Where the spirit's ardent ray
Lives, burns, and triumphs now—
"Passing away."

It is written on the heart
    Alas! that there decay
Should claim from love a part—
"Passing away."

Friends! friends!—oh! shall we meet
    In a land of purer day,
Where lovely things and sweet
Pass not away?


Shall we know each other's eyes
    And the thoughts that in them lay,
When we mingled sympathies
Passing away?

Oh! if this may be so,
    Speed, speed, thou closing day!
How blest, from earth's vain show
To pass away?

July 23, 1827.