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.
Home to the painless, sinless land,
The never darkening sky;
Where hearts ne'er break with clasp of hand;
Where friends ne'er say Good-bye.