Behold, I Shew You a Mystery

Two ways were theirs to reach the unknown shore :
One man was held in the fierce grasp of pain,
And watched the springs of being slowly wane ;
The other no such bitter trial bore,
But dropping ’mid his fellows, breathed no more.
Men grieved, and listened for some sad refrain
From homes bereft ; and trembling for the twain
Whose lingering lives were crushed, I sought their door.
They spoke in turn : “It always was his prayer
To go out like a flash : this chides regret.”
“ He wished I should a garb of sunshine wear.”
Both women smiled ; only my eyes were wet.
O Life and Death, what mysteries ye share !
Greatest of all, the love that ye beget!