The strife endures how long! how long!
Life, death, seem balanced in the scale;
While round his bed a viewless throng
Awaits each morrow's changing tale.
In realms the desert ocean parts,
What myriads watch with tear filled eyes,
His pulse beats echoing in their hearts,
His breathings counted with their sighs!
Slowly the stories of life are spent,
Yet hope still battles with despair,—
Will heaven not yield when knees are bent?
Answer, O Thou that hearest prayer!
But silent is the brazen sky,—
On sweeps the meteor's threatening train,—
Unswerving Nature's mute reply
Bound in her adamantine chain.
Not ours the verdict to decide
Whom death shall claim or skill shall save:
The hero's life though Heaven denied,
It gave our land a martyr's grave.
Nor count the teaching vainly sent
How human hearts their griefs may share,—
The lesson woman's love has lent
What hope may do, what faith can bear!
Farewell! the leaf-strewn earth enfolds
Our stay, our pride, our hopes, our fears,
And autumn's golden sun beholds
A nation bowed, a world in tears.