A ruddy moon through winter skies
Was slowly climbing up,
That night she turned her lips from ours
To drain the stirrup cup.

She whom the tender household care
Encompassed day by day,
With only God for company
Went the uncharted way.

Beyond all hail of human voice,
All hold of mortal hand,
Across the Perilous Stream she passed
To the Adventurous Land.

For when our strength that lifted her
Along life's quiet length
Turned suddenly to weakness, then
Her weakness turned to strength.

And still we muse on it, how she,
So timid and so shy,
Our little Stay-at-Home, should find
Temerity to die.