When we on earth have run our race, And earthly visions flee; And we are called upon to face That dread eternity: As we lie down, o'erwhelmed with pain, And feel the ebb of life; And care and human skill are vain, And flesh gives up the strife: As flickering lights more dimly grow, And stifled is the breath; And feeble pulse more languid flow, And feel the chill of death: As vain is found each earthly trust, Unworthy of the name; And these poor frames return to dust, To dust from whence they came: As to that resting place we go, That narrow house of gloom; And weeds, and grass, and wild flowers grow, On that forgotten tomb: Then lift Thine arm, Almighty God, And stretch it forth to save! Oh, let not Thine avenging rod, Be felt beyond the grave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MARIANNA ALCOFORANDO by SARA TEASDALE NO MASTER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES VOLUNTARIES by RALPH WALDO EMERSON ON VISITING THE TOMB OF BURNS by JOHN KEATS THE FIRST BREAK by ALEXANDER ANDERSON THE ORCHARD FEAST by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |