In the calm and gentle hour, When the silent stars look out From their happy homes in heaven, On this world of care and doubt; When the gemmed sky smiles above us, And the earth in shadow lies, Come they, who in life did love us, With their meek and starry eyes.
And they hover round us nightly, Chasing each dark care away, Such as on our bosom's substance Creeps, with envious haste to prey; And their eyes have learned a language Which on earth they never knew; Seeing heaven's greater glories, They have caught its sweetness too.
Happy they who, in life's verdure, Hold communion with the dead, Listen to each spirit-warning, Ere the better part hath fled; Who have felt God's message written On their bosom's inner page, Ere the gold of youth has rusted To the selfishness of age.
