“To that supreme and final goal.
A self-sought death delays the soul.
“With yonder shuddering, woeful throng
Of suicides thy ways belong.
“Close to the earth a shadowy band,
Unseen, but seeing all, they stand
“Until their natural time to die,
As God intended, shall draw nigh.
“On earth, repentant, sick of sin,
A ministering angel thou hadst been
“Whose patient toil and deeds divine
Had rescued souls as sad as thine,
“Each deed a firm ascending stair
To lead beyond thy great despair.
“But now it is thy mournful fate
To linger here and meditate
“On thy dark past—to stand so near
The earthly plane that thou canst hear
“Thy lover’s voice, while old desire
Shall burn within thee like a fire,