I br br    I saw a dead man's finer part br Shining within each faithful heart br Of those bereft. Then said I: "This must be br    His immortality." br br II br br    I looked there as the seasons wore, br And still his soul continuously upbore br Its life in theirs. But less its shine excelled br    Than when I first beheld. br br III br br    His fellow-yearsmen passed, and then br In later hearts I looked for him again; br And found him--shrunk, alas! into a thin br    And spectral mannikin. br br IV br br    Lastly I ask--now old and chill - br If aught of him remain unperished still; br And find, in me alone, a feeble spark, br    Dying amid the dark.