ASTRONOMER, MATHEMATICIAN. 1809-1890 br br FOR him the Architect of all br Unroofed our planet's starlit hall; br Through voids unknown to worlds unseen br His clearer vision rose serene. br br With us on earth he walked by day, br His midnight path how far away! br We knew him not so well who knew br The patient eyes his soul looked through; br br For who his untrod realm could share br Of us that breathe this mortal air, br Or camp in that celestial tent br Whose fringes gild our firmament? br br How vast the workroom where he brought br The viewless implements of thought! br The wit how subtle, how profound, br That Nature's tangled webs unwound; br br That through the clouded matrix saw br The crystal planes of shaping law, br Through these the sovereign skill that planned,-- br The Father's care, the Master's hand! br br To him the wandering stars revealed br The secrets in their cradle sealed br The far-off, frozen sphere that swings br Through ether, zoned with lucid rings; br br The orb that rolls in dim eclipse br Wide wheeling round its long ellipse,-- br His name Urania writes with these br And stamps it on her Pleiades. br br We knew him not? Ah, well we knew br The manly soul, so brave, so true, br The cheerful heart that conquered age, br The childlike silver-bearded sage. br br No more his tireless thought explores br The azure sea with golden shores; br Rest, wearied frame I the stars shall keep br A loving watch where thou shalt sleep. br br Farewell! the spirit needs must rise, br So long a tenant of the skies,-- br Rise to that home all worlds above br Whose sun is God, whose light is love.