So fades a summer cloud away;
So sinks the gale when storms are o'er;
So gently shuts the eye of day;
So dies a wave along the shore.
-- Mrs. Barbauld (1743-1825)
-- The Death of the Virtuous
It is right that he too should have his little chronicle his memories,
his reason, and be able to recognize the good in the bad, the bad in the
worst, and so grow gently old all down the unchanging days and die one
day like any other day, only shorter....