Poems (Hale)/"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was"

by Mary Whitwell Hale

"THEN SHALL THE DUST RETURN TO THE EARTH AS IT WAS, AND THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN TO GOD WHO GAVE IT."

  Thanks for the promise given!
Low at Thy throne, Eternal One! we bend,
And with our gushing tears our praise would blend.
  To Thee, the High in heaven,
In humble confidence our souls we raise:
Thine be our grateful prayer, our solemn praise.

  Father! the flesh is weak
To bear the burden of Thy chastening hand.
Who in Thy presence, Mighty One! can stand?
  Speak, Gracious Father! speak!
Let love's low-breathing tones our anguish heal:
Thine arm, omnipotent to bless, reveal.

  Not o'er her peaceful sleep,—
Not that the glorious guerdon of the blest
Has led our loved one to her heavenly rest,
  The gushing tear we weep.
But for the stricken hearts left mourning here,
Fond nature sheds the unavailing tear.

  We bear to kindred dust
The dwelling whence the immortal guest has fled.
Hope's quenchless beam is on its ashes shed;
  While we, in holy trust,
Cling to the pledge by inspiration given,—
The spirit shall return to God and heaven.

  Eternal Spirit! Thou
Whose dread command these living temples formed,
Whose breathing energy our spirits warmed,—
  Thou to whom death must bow,
When earth, and sin, and death have passed away,
Receive our souls to everlasting day.