The Little Empty Carriage.
31
While many a smitten household
Laments its idols gone,
And turns from dead to living face,
To soothe its anguished moan,
This little only darling one
Of hearts, who, sorely tried,
Had drank before this self-same cup,
Closed his pure eyes and died.
And by his sister's side, adorned
With many a flowering wreath,
They laid him in life's opening morn,
Locked in the sleep of death.
Laments its idols gone,
And turns from dead to living face,
To soothe its anguished moan,
This little only darling one
Of hearts, who, sorely tried,
Had drank before this self-same cup,
Closed his pure eyes and died.
And by his sister's side, adorned
With many a flowering wreath,
They laid him in life's opening morn,
Locked in the sleep of death.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
But loosened from earth's clod,
The spirit springs on radiant wing
And bows before its God.
Father, anoint these heavy eyes
And moaning hearts, to see
Their new-born angel, clothed in light
And happiness with Thee;
Teach them that in their children's bliss
Their lives may well be blest,
That earth's stern duties once fulfilled,
They'll meet in heavenly rest.
But loosened from earth's clod,
The spirit springs on radiant wing
And bows before its God.
Father, anoint these heavy eyes
And moaning hearts, to see
Their new-born angel, clothed in light
And happiness with Thee;
Teach them that in their children's bliss
Their lives may well be blest,
That earth's stern duties once fulfilled,
They'll meet in heavenly rest.
