  The following poem, given under the inspiration of Mrs. Hemans, is a reversion of the ideas contained in a poem composed by her in earth life, entitled “The Hour of Death.” “Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind’s breath, And stars to set—but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death!” Leaves have their glad recall, And blossoms open to the South wind’s breath, And stars that set shall rise again, for all, All things shall triumph o’er the Spoiler—Death. Day was not made for care— Eve brings bright angels to the joyous hearth— Night comes with dreams of peace, and visions fair Of those whom Death could conquer not on earth. When, in the festive hour, Death mingles poison with the ruby wine, Life also comes with overwhelming power, Changing the deadly draught to life divine. Youth and the opening rose May vanish from the outward sight away, But Life their inward beauty shall disclose, And rob the haughty Spoiler of his prey. Leaves have their glad recall, And blossoms open to the South wind’s breath, And stars that set shall rise again, for all, All things shall triumph o’er the Spoiler—Death. We know that yet again Our loved and lost shall cross the Summer sea, Bearing with them the sheaves of golden grain, Which they have harvested, O Life! with thee. Thy breath is in the gale Whose kiss unseals the violet’s azure eye; And though the roses in our path grow pale, We know that all things change, they do not die. Wherever man may roam, Thy presence, viewless as the Summer air, Meets him abroad, or in his peaceful home, And when Death calls him forth, thou, too, art there. Thou art where soul meets soul, Or where earth’s noblest fall in battle strife; But Death, the Spoiler, yields to thy control; Forevermore thou art the conqueror, Life. Leaves have their glad recall, And blossoms open to the South wind’s breath, And stars that set shall rise again, for all, All things shall triumph o’er the Spoiler—Death. |
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