  (An Hospital Incident.) Into the Hall of Death, Death-doomed! With all of life’s bright hopes Entombed; Beautiful, unforgetable face! So pale and calm in its trusting grace, With the shadow stealing on apace, Death-doomed. Eyes, full of suffering O’ercome, With a steadfast light within Their gloom, Like unto those of a martyred saint, Patient, enduring, without complaint, The pain-flash by a gentle restraint O’ercome. He of the practised hand Stood by, Knowing the gentle one Must die, Watching the face in its sweet content, Noting the smile of glad assent, As he spake of life as nearly spent, Death-nigh. * * * * * * Only an unknown name Enrolled On the death-list there—none knew, Or told Her story—but, surely a Presence came Into their midst, as the dear Christ’s name Was murmured by lips, with love aflame, Though cold. And they who had gathered there That day, Young, and joyous, and brave And gay, To note, with critical gaze, a case, Silently passed from the hallowed place, Bearing rememberance of heaven-lit face Away. |
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