Only a falling star!
What was it to him
If millions of mortals were
Hurled down the dim
Dark void to the abyss?
His world was this.
Only a falling star!
The Earth was sure
To outlive him at least:
Whatever were
Their fates who yonder passed,
His star would last!
Only a falling star!
What if some day
The Earth, as in a flash,
Too, passed away,
Would, say, a Mars-man sigh
As we flamed by?
Only a world gone out
With all its care —
God! but a speck at most
In Thy great air,
As 'twere an insect's breath
Breathed out in death.