Threnody

GLADNESS remains, though man has said, “ 'T is done.”
The universal smile on Nature’s face
Again man’s smile hath won !
Yet the accustomed trace
Of footsteps, nevermore
Is washed from the curved shore.

What can the dull waves tell us now of him
Who was so very human ! What speech left
In the wild tempest’s whim !
Or June trees, unbereft,
What whisper can impart
To the grief-laden heart !

We were grown deaf to music, the soul’s ear
Being all untuned We were grown dumb to tell
Even of what lies most dear !
Yet, led where chance befell,
The voice of the wild bird
Dropped one note, not unheard.

Joy shall endure, the dark is but for Time !
Thus sings the bird from Napa to Cathay.
O stillness of the Prime !
Broken art thou as mid-May
Breaks on the frozen earth
With her white enflowered birth.

The fresh, strong tree that whispered while he spoke
Cannot be silent now that he is still,
And human hearts are broke !
But murmuring must fill
With voice of permanent joy
A world death shall destroy.

Light of green leaves and lustre each day born,
Why are all else grown silent before thee ?
Our hearts shall cease to mourn,
The abbey bells to be,
But thou shalt ever shine
Wearing thy grace divine !

Gladness of life, thou joy of this green earth,
Immortal art thou, therefore we love thee
With rapture of new birth :
When from the dark we see
Morning’s transparent gray
Fade into the blue day.