Good-bye! it quivers through the years,
Low-breathing of despair; The sunniest flower of life it sears,
And dulls the summer air.

It echoes through the falling leaves,
Through ocean's ebb and flow; In Spring's soft gales, in Autumn sheaves;
Sore parting, bitter woe.

It speaketh through the vacant chair
To every yearning heart; Howe'er so noble, gifted, fair,
Earth-born on earth must part.

Good-night! Oh eyes long used to weep!
Faith spans the mist of years; High o'er life's toil, death's darksome sleep,
Heaven's fair, sweet dawn appears.

Refulgent with its glorious rays,
O'er earth, o'er ocean's foam; Where'er the weary wanderer strays,
To light the spirit home.