Page:Thoreau - His Home, Friends and Books (1902).djvu/205

Rh nothing." The opening sentence, also, bespeaks. Thoreau's business habits and unfailing civility,—"I thank you for your very kind letter, which, ever since I received it, I have intended to answer before I died, however briefly."

Calmly he waited death, for which he had prepared himself all his life; nor was his a mock courage and bravado but a steadfast surety of faith in nature's laws and nature's God. Peacefully enjoying the fragrance of flowers, just sent in by an honored friend and neighbor, he passed from this life, May 6, 1862. With special appropriateness, his casket was hidden behind the wild flowers and forest growths that he had loved so well. His own poem, "Sic Vita," was read by Alcott and his eulogy spoken by Emerson, with broken, tender voice. Within his coffin Channing had placed some mottoes, two emphasizing Thoreau's ideals and faith:—"Gazed on the heavens for what he missed on earth.""Hail to thee, O man, who art come from the transitory place to the imperishable." Burial, no less than death, lacked terrors for Thoreau. He had written, "For joy I could embrace the earth. I shall delight to be buried in it."

Does history afford another example of a brief life, lived so simply and steadfastly, left so willingly, and ended with such entire sublimity? So