Poems (Howard)/Good-bye to Dr. Sage

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Good-Bye to Dr. Sage.
Oh, we shall miss his presence here,   His counsels, wise and kind, The guiding hand, the helpful cheer That made him friend and pastor dear   To whom all hearts inclined!
When far away, shall memory   Ofttimes to us reveal That earnest face we loved to see, The lips that spake so worthily   When touched by heavenly zeal.
His manly form and noble brow   Shall be remembered long; The regal mind to which we bow, The loving heart that taught us how   "To suffer, and be strong."
But our affections shall he bear   Through many a future day; And still our truest friendship share While thoughts, light-winged with love and prayer,   Pursue him on his way.
And he, with Life's untrodden ways   Before him, fresh and new, Shall turn to "scenes of other days," To hearts that name him but to praise   And give him homage due.
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Be kind to him, benignant Fate!   And let not absence dim, Nor length of time obliterate The virtues we would emulate   As oft we think of him.
And friends and neighbors yet to be,   Whose gain shall be our loss, Be true to him, and learn as we Of him in all humility   AVI 10 bravely bears the cross.
May richest blessings hover round   His far-off Western home, May health and happiness be found, And life with Heaven's approval crowned   Where'er his footsteps roam.
And our Father! guard thou well   That happy household band For whom our hearts with sorrow swell, As we regretful tears repel   And give the parting hand.
For them shall bells of memory chime   While flowers gem the sod, Until, beyond the cares of Time We meet, within that brighter clime,   Around the throne of God. July, 1884.
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