If you had been here my brother would not have died.
Your brother will rise again.
How often when death comes have we sighed,
Why did he not relieve us of this pain?

But Lazarus was revived only to die later.
Would he not have preferred to stay with his master.
Is dying such a disaster.
Is acceptance such a meek surrender.

If he is the resurrection and the life.
If anyone who believes in him will live though he dies.
Soon after restless night, the mist at dawn will clear to reveal an end to strife.
Then will we bid adieu to all our sighs.

This I should know.
But restless I remain, so wearily I return to the plough.