572. S. H. M. Montgomery. Friends die, but to live again.

1 Friend after friend departs;
Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts,
That finds not here an end.
Were this frail world our only rest,
Living or dying, none were blest.

2 There is a world above,
Where parting is unknown, --
A whole eternity of love
And blessedness alone;
And faith beholds the dying here,
Translated to that happier sphere.

3 Thus, star by star declines
Till all are passed away,
As morning high and higher shines
To pure and perfect day.
Nor sink those stars in empty night --
They hide themselves in heaven's own light.