I.

It was a quiet morning. Skies were clear,

And hills, and vales, and woods kept jubilee;

All nature seem’d a lovely smile to wear,

A smile of peace and joy. In ecstasy

Bright plumaged warblers flew from tree to tree,

And sang their joy with many a cheerful tone;

But every heart was not so full of glee;

Within that room where death his power had shown,

A pensive mourner sat, in silence, and alone.