Earth, lie lightly on him.
He is too small to bear
Your heavy soil, that heavy stone,
And all our heavy tears.
Sun, shine brightly on him.
You cannot shine too bright.
The faintest glow is welcome there
Where it is always night.
Time, pass gently by him.
We will but briefly weep;
But he that here has come to rest
Has oh so long to sleep.
God, you need not judge him:
Heaven holds no kinder man.
Just hold him warmly to your heart,
For we no longer can.