LOW she lies, who blest our eyes <br />Through many a sunny day; <br />She may not smile, she will not rise-- <br />The life hath past away! <br />Yet there is a world of light beyond, <br />Where we neither die nor sleep-- <br />She is there, of whom our souls were fond-- <br />Then wherefore do we weep? <br /> <br />The heart is cold, whose thoughts were told <br />In each glance of her glad bright eye; <br />And she lies pale, who was so bright, <br />She scarce seemed made to die. <br />Yet we know that her soul is happy now, <br />Where the saints their calm watch keep; <br />That angels are crowning that fair young brow-- <br />Then wherefore do we weep? <br /> <br />Her laughing voice made all rejoice, <br />Who caught the happy sound; <br />There was gladness in her very step, <br />As it lightly touched the ground. <br />The echoes of voice and step are gone; <br />There is silence still and deep: <br />Yet we know she sings by God's bright throne-- <br />Then wherefore do we weep? <br /> <br />The cheek's pale tinge, the lid's dark fringe; <br />That lies like a shadow there, <br />Were beautiful in the eyes of all-- <br />And her glossy golden hair! <br />But though that lid may never wake <br />From its dark and dreamless sleep, <br />She is gone where young hearts do not break-- <br />Then wherefore do we weep? <br /> <br />That world of light with joy is bright, <br />This is a world of woe: <br />Shall we grieve that her soul hath taken flight, <br />Because we dwell below? <br />We will bury her under the mossy sod, <br />And one long bright tress we'll keep; <br />We have only given her back to God-- <br />Ah! wherefore do we weep?<br /><br />Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-mourners-4/
