| "Never couldst thou bear to grieve us-- Dearest mother, why to-day? Wherefore wilt thou thus forsake us, Why, oh! why refuse to stay?" "Were it but our Father's will, Gladly had I tarried still." | | "Mother, see the bursting anguish Of thy dear ones, loved so well; See our eyes with grief o'erflowing-- Grief which words refuse to tell!" "Children, bid me not remain: Let me see our Carl again!" | | 40 "Ah! and art thou really going To that dark and distant shore? All our cares, our joys, our sorrows, All forgotten, shared no more!" "Children, think not, say not so-- To the land of love I go." | | "From the circle of affection, Mother, must thou next depart? Ah! how, many a link is broken Once uniting heart to heart!" "Closer draw that gentle chain Round the lov'd who yet remain." | | "Canst thou then so gladly leave us? Is our grief unheeded now? For thine eye is brightly beaming, Calm and cloudless is thy brow." "Yes! for faith, and hope, and love, Draw me to my Lord above." | | "Yet even there, in bliss undying, When thou numberest thine own, Mother, shall not we be wanting-- We, who here in bondage groan?" "Come, beloved! quickly come, Join me in our heavenly home!" | |