TO MY SHADOW 345 
Of passing sunlit showers, 
Of acts of love ; 
Of footsteps that did go 
Amid life’s work and woe, — 
Her eyes still fixed below, 
Her thoughts above. 
Then as those eyes grow dim 
Chant we her best-loved hymn, 
While from yon church-tower’s brim 
A soft chime swells. 
Her freed soul floats in bliss 
To unseen worlds from this, 
Nor knows in which it is 
She hears the bells. 
TO MY SHADOW 
A MUTE companion at my side 
Paces and plods, the whole day long, 
Accepts the measure of my stride, 
Yet gives no cheer by word or song. 
More close than any doggish friend, 
Not ranging far and wide, like him, 
He goes where’er my footsteps tend, 
Nor shrinks for fear of life or limb. 
I do not know when first we met, 
But till each day’s bright hours are done 
