Poems (Hale)/On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Kirkland
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ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. DR. KIRKLAND.
A dirge-note and the sigh of grief are borne upon the air;
Yet blended with faith's lofty notes and with the breath of prayer.
The good man to the earth hath bowed his loved and honored head,
While to its full, eternal joy the immortal mind hath fled.
Yet blended with faith's lofty notes and with the breath of prayer.
The good man to the earth hath bowed his loved and honored head,
While to its full, eternal joy the immortal mind hath fled.
How oft in unbowed strength, his step that sacred path has trod,
Bearing unto expectant souls good tidings from their God!
And now death's dim and shadowy veil has fallen on his brow,
And we in silent reverence here above his ashes bow.
Bearing unto expectant souls good tidings from their God!
And now death's dim and shadowy veil has fallen on his brow,
And we in silent reverence here above his ashes bow.
How often on this very spot the bread of life he broke,
And of the Master's matchless love with sweet compassion spoke;
The mourner's stricken spirit cheered, and raised the drooping head,
And peace within the contrite heart, as balm of healing shed!
And of the Master's matchless love with sweet compassion spoke;
The mourner's stricken spirit cheered, and raised the drooping head,
And peace within the contrite heart, as balm of healing shed!
Hark! from "Old Harvard's" classic walls, time-hallowed and revered,
By many a name of lofty worth to fame and love endeared,
A tone is wafted to the ear, of blended grief and praise:
Learning and meek-eyed piety their mingling incense raise.
By many a name of lofty worth to fame and love endeared,
A tone is wafted to the ear, of blended grief and praise:
Learning and meek-eyed piety their mingling incense raise.
His presence graced her loftiest seat, and yet no eye could see
A shade of pride come o'er that brow of rare humility.
Her fame was precious to his soul, and with a parent's care
He raised his voice to Heaven for her in supplicating prayer.
A shade of pride come o'er that brow of rare humility.
Her fame was precious to his soul, and with a parent's care
He raised his voice to Heaven for her in supplicating prayer.
And now, in filial grief, around his silent bier to stand,
Her sons come forth, the wise, the good, the gifted of the land.
How truly honored in his life, their swelling hearts can say,
Who gather round his coffined rest, their meed of love to pay!
Her sons come forth, the wise, the good, the gifted of the land.
How truly honored in his life, their swelling hearts can say,
Who gather round his coffined rest, their meed of love to pay!
The depths of memory are stirred; her eagle flight she takes:
Thoughts of my childhood's vanished years this solemn hour awakes.
I hear again the notes of prayer, my head in reverence bow,
And feel once more that hand in love pressed gently on my brow.
Thoughts of my childhood's vanished years this solemn hour awakes.
I hear again the notes of prayer, my head in reverence bow,
And feel once more that hand in love pressed gently on my brow.
O! if in that most sacred hour the seal of God was given,
To be my passport when I reach the shining gates of heaven,
How should I turn me in my joy, his honored name to bless,
Whose hand unto my soul revealed such perfect happiness!
To be my passport when I reach the shining gates of heaven,
How should I turn me in my joy, his honored name to bless,
Whose hand unto my soul revealed such perfect happiness!
Now that the pleasant smile is gone, and hushed the gentle voice,
Whose accents had such magic power the sorrowing to rejoice,
His virtues,—let them ever beam with undecaying ray,
To shed their fragrance and their bloom around our future way.
Whose accents had such magic power the sorrowing to rejoice,
His virtues,—let them ever beam with undecaying ray,
To shed their fragrance and their bloom around our future way.
Rest thee, thou faithful patriarch! rest! with kindly heart and true,
Thy hand performed the holy work appointed thee to do:
And now the fulness of His love, whose servant thou hast been,
Beams all unclouded on thine eye, in majesty serene.
Thy hand performed the holy work appointed thee to do:
And now the fulness of His love, whose servant thou hast been,
Beams all unclouded on thine eye, in majesty serene.