IN MEMORIAM
Thou who wast scourged and crucified
For fallen man! behold to-night
A mother smitten in Thy sight.
Behold how all her hopes have died!
Send her Thy comfort and Thy light!
Tell her that when the cruel wave
Closed o’er her child’s benignant head,
The Lord of Life in mercy sped,
To glorify him in the grave
And raise an angel from the dead.
Too pure to combat this dark globe,
Too gentle for the madding crowd,
Better thy unpolluted shroud,
Thy early death, thy spotless robe,
Than many years with sadness bowed.
Ah! we who loved thee so will keep
Thy memory a sacred trust,
A sweet evangel from the dust,
To cheer us when we wail and weep,
While thou art dwelling with the Just!
[ 163 ]
