A Poet’s Last Song by H.C. Andersen

Bear me but hence, thou mighty Death,

to where the souls abide me!

Forward I’ve gone with fearless breath

the way that God did guide me.

The songs I sang, O God, were thine–

unguessed the weather that filled them;

’twas little art they held of mine;

like bird on bough I thrilled them.

Farewell, red rose of fragrant breath,

farewell, ye dear ones yonder!

Bear me but hence, thou mighty Death,

though here ’twas good to wander.

Thanks be to God for all he gave

and ceaseth not from sending.

Fly, Death, o’re Times’ eternal wave

where summer waits unending!