Only a falling star! br What was it to him br If millions of mortals were br Hurled down the dim br Dark void to the abyss? br His world was this. br Only a falling star! br The Earth was sure br To outlive him at least: br Whatever were br Their fates who yonder passed, br His star would last! br Only a falling star! br What if some day br The Earth, as in a flash, br Too, passed away, br Would, say, a Mars-man sigh br As we flamed by? br Only a world gone out br With all its care — br God! but a speck at most br In Thy great air, br As 'twere an insect's breath br Breathed out in death.