O RARE and radiant life, whose mission here, Like some strong Angel's, winged with love divine, Waited on human woe, to heal and cheer, What high, unselfish, tireless zeal was thine; To fan, with tender care, the flickering spark Of waning reason and the shattered will, To find the missing clew, where all was dark, And guide to hope and light with patient skill; True pity thine which clasped each clouded heart, Nor on the lowliest ever looked askant, Swaying distempered minds with sovereign art, Gentle as woman, firm as adamant; Nor less shall memory keep the tranquil grace Of look and tone and bearing, staid and calm, The sweet serenity of form and face, Home's dearest solace, friendship's kindliest balm. By this new grave no broken shaft we rear, Thy finished work has followed thee above, One step from duty, midst the shadows here, To the full sunshine of eternal Love! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS by THOMAS HOOD THE BIGLOW PAPERS: 3. WHAT MR. ROBINSON THINKS by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL SAINT PAUL: 1 by FREDERICK WILLIAM HENRY MYERS FALLING ASLEEP by SIEGFRIED SASSOON THE BEGGAR MAID [AND KING COPHETUA] by ALFRED TENNYSON |