Mary Helen Departing

Bright thou art and shall prevail,

O beauty breaking the form-bound shell,

Thy spirit grows though body fail,

In Joy's abode it now shall dwell.

Let not the flow of mortal tears

Weigh down thy wings of angel-flight

Or all our frail and helpless fears

Impinge upon thy soul's delight,

Remembrance of those fragrant years,

Moments sad and bittersweet,

Reflected as His presence nears,

Returning thee to Mother's feet.