Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 1904. | | | | V. Death and Bereavement | | A Morning Thought | | Edward Rowland Sill (1841–1887) |
| | | WHAT if some morning, when the stars were paling, | |
| And the dawn whitened, and the east was clear, | |
| Strange peace and rest fell on me from the presence | |
| Of a benignant spirit standing near; | |
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| And I should tell him, as he stood beside me:— | 5 |
| “This is our earth—most friendly earth, and fair; | |
| Daily its sea and shore through sun and shadow | |
| Faithful it turns, robed in its azure air; | |
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| “There is blest living here, loving and serving, | |
| And quest of truth, and serene friendships dear: | 10 |
| But stay not, Spirit! Earth has one destroyer— | |
| His name is Death: flee, lest he find thee here!” | |
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| 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, | 15 |
| And take my hand and say, “My name is Death”? | | | | |
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