On His Last Notes

When, Father, I did see thy last account
Of illness, written in a weary scrawl,
Pulse and effusions noted in amount,
Physician's habit in effect through all,

I thought how in many a still hour thou
O'er new or waning life a vigil kept.
As physician, so as father, did thou
Keep notes, concern thyself whilst others slept.

In likewise way the Author of our days,
Who counts our pulse and in us doth abide,
Must in those final days have bent His gaze,
And kept close vigil at His servant's side.

Thus in these last brief notes of thine I see
A pencil'd prescript of eternity.