John Godfrey Saxe (1816–1887)

NAY, weep not, dearest, though the child be dead;

He lives again in heaven’s unclouded life,

With other angels that have early fled

From these dark scenes of sorrow, sin, and strife;

Nay, weep not, dearest, though thy yearning love

Would fondly keep for earth its fairest flowers,

And e’en deny to brighter realms above

The few that deck this dreary world of ours:

Though much it seems a wonder and a woe

That one so loved should be so early lost,

And hallowed tears may unforbidden flow

To mourn the blossom that we cherished most,—

Yet all is well: God’s good design I see,

That where our treasure is, our hearts may be!