“This is our earth, most friendly earth and fair;
Daily its sea and shore, this sun and shadow,
Faithful it turns, robed in its azure air?
“There is best living here, loving and serving,
And quest of truth and serene friendship dear;
But stay not, spirit. Earth has one destroyer,
His name is Death. Flee, lest he find thee here.”
And what if then, while the still morning brightened
And freshened in the elm the summer’s breath,
Should gravely smile on me the gentle angel,