PARTING.
Reading edition
———
BY MISS PHŒBE CAREY.
———
Till the last mortal pang is o’er,
Aid me, my human friend,
Let thy sweet ministries of love
Support me to the end!
In such a fearful hour my soul
Unaided cannot stand,
Leave me not till my Saviour comes
To take my trembling hand.
My heart is weak, is earthly still,
And though such love be crime,
I cannot yield thee till my feet
Have passed the shores of time.
Gently, O, gently lead me on,
Soothe me with love’s fond tone—
Thou hast been near through all the past
How shall I go alone?
The last my lips shall ever drink
Is life’s most bitter cup—
Nearer the wave of death hath rolled,
How can I give thee up?
Closer, O, closer! let me feel
Thy heart still fondly beat,
While the cold billows of the grave
Are closing round my feet!