One sweetly solemn thought Comes to me o'er and o'er; I am nearer home to-day That I ever have been before; Nearer my Father's house, Where the many mansions be; Nearer the great white throne, Nearer the crystal sea; Nearer the bound of life, Where we lay our burdens down; Nearer leaving the cross, Nearer gaining the crown! But lying darkly between, Winding, down through the night, In the silent, unknown stream, That leads at last to the light. Closer and closer my steps Come to the dread abysm: Closer Death to my lips Presses the awful chrism. Oh, if my mortal feet Have almost gained the brink; If it be I am nearer home Even to-day than I think; Father, perfect my trust; Let my spirit feel in death, That her feet are firmly set On the rock of a living faith! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ORDER FOR A PICTURE by ALICE CARY THREE GATES [OF GOLD] by ELIZABETH DAYTON UPON THE DEATH OF MY EVER CONSTANT FRIEND DOCTOR DONNE, DEAN OF PAUL'S by HENRY KING (1592-1669) RHOECUS by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE PITY OF LOVE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE PERSIANS (PERSAE): XERXES DEFEATED by AESCHYLUS MASKS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |