I thought of Thee, my partner and my guide, br As being past away. -Vain sympathies! br For backward, Duddon! as I cast my eyes, br I see what was, and is, and will abide; br Still glides the Stream, and shall not cease to glide; br The Form remains, the Function never dies; br While we, the brave, the mighty, and the wise, br We Men, who in our morn of youth defied br The elements, must vanish; -be it so! br Enough, if something from our hands have power br To live, and act, and serve the future hour; br And if, as toward the silent tomb we go, br Through love, through hope, and faith's transcendent dower, br We feel that we are greater than we know.