Thus much he spake—and some were there
Who wept aloud his early doom;
But others knelt in silent prayer,—
And when they said that such as he
Were flowers that God took up to bloom
In Heaven, he smiled so thankfully!
And raised his failing eyes above—
He died, he died of slighted love.”
“—And—Shepherd!—when the heavenly spark
Was flickering in its lamp of clay,