Friends Separated For a Season

Verse 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.

Verse 2

Beyond the flight of time, Beyond the reign of death, There surely is some blessèd clime, Where life is not a breath, Nor life's affections, transient fire, Whose sparks fly upward to expire.

Verse 3

There is a world above, Where parting is unknown; A whole eternity of love Formed for the good alone; And faith beholds the dying here Translated to that glorious sphere.

Verse 4

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, But hide themselves in heaven's own light. Amen.