Eighteen years since, in sight of heaven and spring
That saw the soul above all souls take wing,
He too now hears the heaven we hear not sing.

He too now dwells where death is dead, and stands
⁠Where souls like stars exult in life to be:
Whence all who linked heroic hearts and hands
⁠Shine on our sight, and give it strength to see
⁠What hope makes fair for all whom faith makes free:
Free with such freedom as we find in sleep,
The light sweet shadow of death, when dreams are deep
And high as heaven whence light and lightning leap.

And scarce a month yet gone, his living hand
⁠Writ loving words that sealed me friend of his.
Are heaven and earth as near as sea to strand?
⁠May life and death as bride and bridegroom kiss?
⁠His last month's written word abides, and is;
Clear as the sun that lit through storm and strife
And darkling days when hope took fear to wife
The faith whose fire was light of all his life.