Hymns To The Night : 6 : Longing For Death

Longing for Death Into the bosom of the earth, Out of the Light's dominion, Death's pains are but a bursting forth, Sign of glad departure. Swift in the narrow little boat, Swift to the heavenly shore we float. Blessed be the everlasting Night, And blessed the endless slumber. We are heated by the day too bright, And withered up with care. We're weary of a life abroad, And we now want our Father's home. What in this world should we all Do with love and with faith? That which is old is set aside, And the new may perish also. Alone he stands and sore downcast Who loves with pious warmth the Past. The Past where the light of the senses In lofty flames did rise; Where the Father's face and hand All men did recognize; And, with high sense, in simplicity Many still fit the original pattern. The Past wherein, still rich in bloom, Man's strain did burgeon glorious, And children, for the world to come, Sought pain and death victorious, And, through both life and pleasure spake, Yet many a heart for love did break. The Past, where to the flow of youth God still showed himself, And truly to an early death Did commit his sweet life. Fear and torture patiently he bore So that he would be loved forever. With anxious yearning now we see That Past in darkness drenched, With this world's water never we Shall find our hot thirst quenched. To our old home we have to go That blessed time again to know. What yet doth hinder our return To loved ones long reposed? Their grave limits our lives. We are all sad and afraid. We can search for nothing more -- The heart is full, the world is void. Infinite and mysterious, Thrills through us a sweet trembling -- As if from far there echoed thus A sigh, our grief resembling. Our loved ones yearn as well as we, And sent to us this longing breeze. Down to the sweet bride, and away To the beloved Jesus. Have courage, evening shades grow gray To those who love and grieve. A dream will dash our chains apart, And lay us in the Father's lap.