The History of a Life

Day dawned: — Within a curtained room,
Filled to faintness with perfume,
A lady lay at point of doom.

Day closed:— A Child had seen the light;
But for the lady, fair and bright,
She rested in undreaming night.

Spring rose: — The lady's grave was green
And near it oftentimes was seen
A gentle Boy, with thoughtful mien.

Years fled:— He wore a manly face,
And struggled in the world's rough race,
And won, at last, a lofty place.

And then— he died! Behold, before ye,
Humanity's poor sum and story;
Life, — Death,— and all that is of Glory.