 | ["I stood within the vestibule", in] Whittier : notes of his life and of his friendships |  |
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[I stood within the vestibule]
“I stood within the vestibule
Whose granite steps I knew so well,
While through the empty rooms the bell
Responded to my eager pull.
Whose granite steps I knew so well,
While through the empty rooms the bell
Responded to my eager pull.
“I listened while the bell once more
Rang through the void, deserted hall;
I heard no voice, nor light foot-fall,
And turned me sadly from the door.
Rang through the void, deserted hall;
93
And turned me sadly from the door.
“Though fair was Autumn's dreamy day,
And fair the wood-paths carpeted
With fallen leaves of gold and red,
I missed a dearer sight than they.
And fair the wood-paths carpeted
With fallen leaves of gold and red,
I missed a dearer sight than they.
“I missed the love-transfigured face,
The glad, sweet smile so dear to me,
The clasp of greeting warm and free:
What had the round world in their place?
The glad, sweet smile so dear to me,
The clasp of greeting warm and free:
What had the round world in their place?
“O friend, whose generous love has made
My last days best, my good intent
Accept, and let the call I meant
Be with your coming doubly paid.”
My last days best, my good intent
Accept, and let the call I meant
Be with your coming doubly paid.”
| ["I stood within the vestibule", in] Whittier : notes of his life and of his friendships | |