How far from home? I asked, as on
I
bent my steps---the watchman spake;
“The
long, dark might is almost gone,
The
morning soon will break.
Then
weep no more, but speed thy flight,
With
Hope’s bright star thy guiding ray,
Till
thou shalt reach the realms of light
In
everlasting day.”
2
I
asked the warrior on the field;
This
was his soul inspiring song:
“With
courage, bold, the sword I’ll wield,
The
battle is not long.
Then
weep no more, but well endure
The
conflict, till thy work is done;
For
this we know, the prize is sure,
When
victory is won.”
3
I
asked again, earth, sea, and sun
Seemed,
with one voice, to make reply:
“Times’s
wasting sands are nearly run,
Eternity
is nigh.
Then
weep no more-- with warning tones,
Portentous
signs are thickening round,
The
whole creation, waiting, groans,
To
hear the trumpet sound.”
4
Not
far from home! O blessed thought!
The
traveler’s lonely heart to cheer;
Which
oft a healing balm has brought,
And
dried the mourner’s tear.
Then
weep no more, since we shall meet
Where
weary footsteps never roam
Our
trials past, our joys complete,
Safe
in our Father’s home.