The writings of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume 4.
John Greenleaf Whittier, Ed.

And his heart grew warm within him,
     And his moistening eyes grew dim,
For he knew that his country's children
     Were singing the songs of him:

The lays of his life's glad morning,
     The psalms of his evening time,
Whose echoes shall float forever
     On the winds of every clime.

All their beautiful consolations,
     Sent forth like birds of cheer,
Came flocking back to his windows,
     And sang in the Poet's ear.

Grateful, but solemn and tender,
     The music rose and fell
With a joy akin to sadness
     And a greeting like farewell.

With a sense of awe he listened
     To the voices sweet and young;
The last of earth and the first of heaven
     Seemed in the songs they sung.

And waiting a little longer
     For the wonderful change to come,
He heard the Summoning Angel,
     Who calls God's children home