PARTING

This life has many varied scenes
Of joy and peace, of grief and pain,
To-day we meet, to-morrow part,
Perchance to never meet again.

How oft we part from those we love
In sullen, angry, thoughtless mood,
And think that soon we'll meet again
Adown life's shining, sunny road.

But days and weeks and months go by ;
Yes, even long and weary years,
Before we see the brightening eye
Last seen in sullen, angry tears.

And oftentimes it is the last
Of mortal parting on the earth,
And we will only meet again
At our sublime celestial birth.

Then let us live and part in peace
With those we love and all around,
So fellowship and love 'll increase,
And not a vain regret be found.

Oh never let the parting sun
Go down upon our childish wrath ;
Forgive, forget the wrong that's done,
And walk the loving, peaceful path.