Transfiguration

ílysterious death! who in a single hour Life's gold can sorefine; And by thy art divine Change mortal weakness to immortal power. Bending beneath the welght of eighty years, Spent wiih the noble strlfe Uf a victorious Ufe, We watclii'd her Cadlng licavcnward througn our tears. But, ere the senso of loss our hearts liad wrung A mlracle was wrought, And swift as happy thought Sho Uves agan, brave, beauUful and young. Agp, pain and sorrow dropped the veils they wore, And showed the tender eyes Of angels in disguise, Whose discipline so patiently she bore. The past years brought their harvest ricli and fair, While memorv and love Together fondly wove A golden garland lor the silver halr. Ilow could we mourn like those who are bereft, When every pang of grief Found balm for its relief In couuting up the treasures she had left? Faith that withstood the shock of toil and time, Hope, that defied despair, Patience that conquered care. And loyally whose courage was sublime. The great deep heart that was a home for all; Just, elo iuent and strone, In protest aainst wrong; Wlde charity, that knew no sin, no f all. The spartan spirit that made life so grand, Mating poor, daily needs Wi h high, heroic deeds That wrested happiness from fate's hard h.nd. We thought to weep, but sing for joy instead, Full of the grateful peace That follows her release; For nothing but the weary dost lies dcad. Oh, noble woman! never more a queen Than in the laying down Of scepter and of crown To win a greater kingdom yet unseen! Teaching us how to scek the highest goal; To earu the true success; To live, in love to bless And niakc death proud to take a royal soul.