One Life, One Law

What do we know—what need we know Of the great world to which we go? We peer into the tomb, and hark: Its walls are dim, its doors are dark.

Be still, O mourning heart, nor seek To make the tongueless silence speak: Be still, be strong, nor wish to find Their way who leave the world behind— Voices and forms forever gone Into the darkness of the dawn.

What is their wisdom, clear and deep?— That as men sow they surely reap,— That every thought, that every deed, Is sown into the soul for seed. They have no word we do not know,— Nor yet the cherubim aglow With God: we know that virtue saves,— They know no more beyond the graves.