If you were dead, then all for me would die
That gives to life its happiness and pain,
The one prayer left would be a prayer that I
Might follow swiftly after, and thus gain,
If not once more your presence, yet a place
Where unto me might be vouchsafed the grace
That from afar I might behold you there,
Amid the blessed who have gained their rest,
Free'd from all sorrow, and all care,
You who on earth are noblest, dearest, best;
You surely would not grudge, unto me,
That thus, like Dives, I your face might see?
He looked across the gulf, and Lazarus saw;
As deep a gulf will then between us lie;
But I have prayed for, hoped for, nothing more
Save this; well knowing that love cannot die,
But knowing well, alas, that unto you
No joy could be in Heaven were I there too.
Yet were I there, my place must always be
Below you, at your feet; but still the sight
Of me would dim the glory unto thee:
Across that void you will forget me quite,
Or else will careless hold me of no worth,
Just as you did so long ago on earth.
We are ourselves forever; if in life
I blame you not for casting me aside,
When all is past and done with, and the strife
Of this world ended; when we two have died,
Deem you that I in Heaven would mar your rest?
No! I would choose whate'er for you were best.
And you are right; there nothing is in me
That can deserve one second thought again,
My life has merged itself in love for thee,
That glorifies existence; call it in vain,
But yet remember God and Heaven must be
Only a dream e'er I can change to thee.
