How often Death comes near us on the way,
But passes on and gives us leave to stay
With sweet home idols, while another life,
Hopeful, he takes a-down the silent way.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/At_the_gate_of_dreams_pg_21.jpg/400px-At_the_gate_of_dreams_pg_21.jpg)
I never yet have found a heart so dead
But sometimes touched a softened tear to shed,
And never yet the Winter fields so sere
But some brave plant dare lift its faithful head.