 | Later Lyrics |  |
64
THE OLD MAN'S WALK.
Into the sadness of the winter night
I bear my heart:
Shunning the crowded streets, the glaring light,
I walk apart.
I bear my heart:
Shunning the crowded streets, the glaring light,
I walk apart.
With trembling feet and head astound I go,
With cheeks chill-wet:
I must return unto that house of woe;
I cannot yet.
With cheeks chill-wet:
I must return unto that house of woe;
I cannot yet.
Unhappy words compel me from the hearth
Of love bereft;
Should send me reckless o'er the rolling earth,
With bosom cleft.
Of love bereft;
Should send me reckless o'er the rolling earth,
With bosom cleft.
65
O Stranger! ask not why I stray abroad
Thus out of time.
Mine eye has not the furtive glance of fraud,
The leer of crime.
Thus out of time.
Mine eye has not the furtive glance of fraud,
The leer of crime.
Deep Night, within thy gloomy catafalque
Bury my grief;
And, while thy candles light my funeral walk,
Promise relief.
Bury my grief;
And, while thy candles light my funeral walk,
Promise relief.
Let lightsome spirits that outwatch thy reign,
Dawn's sentinels,
Shed golden balsam for the sons of pain
In prison cells.
Dawn's sentinels,
Shed golden balsam for the sons of pain
In prison cells.
“Ave,” I hear the pitying angels say;
From depths they call;
“Through all Grief's multitude Heaven makes a way.”
Heaven rest us all!
From depths they call;
“Through all Grief's multitude Heaven makes a way.”
Heaven rest us all!
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