The works of Mrs. Hemans With a memoir of her life, by her sister. In seven volumes |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
 | VI. |
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PASSING AWAY. |
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| VII. |
 | The works of Mrs. Hemans |  |
153
PASSING AWAY.
“Passing away” is written on the world, and all the world contains.
It is written on the rose,
In its glory's full array—
Read what those buds disclose—
“Passing away.”
In its glory's full array—
Read what those buds disclose—
“Passing away.”
It is written on the skies
Of the soft blue summer day;
It is traced in sunset's dyes—
“Passing away.”
Of the soft blue summer day;
It is traced in sunset's dyes—
“Passing away.”
It is written on the trees,
As their young leaves glistening play,
And on brighter things than these—
“Passing away.”
As their young leaves glistening play,
And on brighter things than these—
“Passing away.”
It is written on the brow
Where the spirit's ardent ray
Lives, burns, and triumphs now—
“Passing away.”
Where the spirit's ardent ray
Lives, burns, and triumphs now—
“Passing away.”
It is written on the heart—
Alas! that there Decay
Should claim from Love a part—
“Passing away.”
Alas! that there Decay
Should claim from Love a part—
“Passing away.”
Friends, friends!—oh! shall we meet
In a land of purer day,
Where lovely things and sweet
Pass not away?
In a land of purer day,
Where lovely things and sweet
Pass not away?
154
Shall we know each other's eyes,
And the thoughts that in them lay,
When we mingled sympathies—
“Passing away?”
And the thoughts that in them lay,
When we mingled sympathies—
“Passing away?”
Oh! if this may be so,
Speed, speed thou closing day!
How blest, from earth's vain show
To pass away!
Speed, speed thou closing day!
How blest, from earth's vain show
To pass away!
| The works of Mrs. Hemans | |