When death shall come to summon us at last,

Some will remember children

And the sound of little footsteps

Hallowing the past,

As driven snowflakes hallow oft the ground;

Some will remember sunlight on a fence;

And some the breath of blossoms in the rain;

Some will glimpse stars.

And all the going hence of these

Will be a wishing to remain.

But some will think of One who said,

"And I, If I be lifted up

Will draw to me all men."

And when these latter come to die,

With faces lifted to Eternity,

They shall go forth with calm, untroubled eyes.

Like children hasting to a glad surprise.