University of Virginia Library

BEAUTY AFTER DEATH.

[OMITTED] Death's blight upon the brow—
His iron hand's cold impress on the lip—
Are not alike relentless unto all.
Not always, when made ready for the grave,
Are the beloved ones beautiful no more.
Nor all alike to the bright throng who wait
To give the welcome at the gate of heaven,
Seem the pale comers from this world away.
And they,—the loveliest to the eyes that mourn,—
They, of the blest throng of the sin-forgiven,
Who fairest seem to angels—seldom they
Were of the living who are called most fair—
Seldom the young, the gifted, or the strong.
But THEY WHOM PITY FOR THE POOR HAS KEPT
Tender OF HEART—THESE, WITH THEIR PARTING BREATH,
Put ON THE SAINTLY BEAUTY OF THE BLEST!
For, oh how well that miracle is known
To those who oftenest look upon the dead:—
That, when life's changing features first are still—
When first, with death's transparent calm, we see
Through the far depths what pearl was hidden there—
Then, o'er the features of the blest ones “known
For their good works,” like Dorcas—those whose “alms
Are in remembrance before God,” like his
To whom the “angel in bright clothing” came,
Cornelius the centurion—there beams
Light, from the warm heart that was shrined within—
Light from the trembling of the pitying tear,
Th'undying lamp lit for the sad and lone!
And, by that light—a smile upon the lips,
Unquenched by life's last agony—we know
That such are they who are beloved of God:—
Made fairer, even in Death's icy sleep,
By the unwearied “waking of the heart”
Which smiles as they go beautiful to Heaven.