As down in the Sunless Retreats.
S down in the sunless retreats of the ocean Sweet flowers are springing no mortal can see, So, deep in my soul, the still prayer of devotion Unheard by the world, rises silent to thee, My God, silent to thee,—
Pure, warm, silent to thee.
As still to the star of its worship, though clouded, The needle points faithfully o'er the dim sea,— So dark when I roam, in this wintry world shrouded, The hope of my spirit turns trembling to thee, My God, trembling to thee,
Pure, warm, trembling to thee.
In View of Death.
HE hour, the hour, the parting hour, That takes from this dark world its power,
And lays at once the thorn and flower
On the same withering bier, my soul ! The hour that ends all earthly woes, And gives the wearied soul repose,– How soft, how sweet that last long close Of mortal hope and fear, my soul !
How sweet, while on this broken lyre The melodies of time expire, To feel it strung with chords of fire
To praise the Immortal One, my soul! And while our farewell tears we pour To those we leave on this cold shore, To teel that we shall weep no more,
Nor dwell in heaven alone, my soul !
How sweet, while, waning fast away, The stars of this dim world decay, To hail, prophetic of the day,
The golden dawn above, my soul ! To feel we only sleep to rise In sunnier lands and fairer skies, To bind again our broken ties
In ever-living love, my soul !
The hour, the hour so pure and calm, That bathes the wounded soul in balm, And round the pale brow twines the palm Which shuns this wintry clime, my soul ! The hour that draws o'er earth and all Its briers and blooms the mortal pall,- How soft, how sweet, that evening-fall Of fears, and grief, and time, my soul!
Lo! the weeping mourners come- Mother, father, friend, and lover- To the death-encumbered room.
Lips are pressed to the blessed
Lips that evermore are dumb.
Take her faded hand in thine
Hand that no more answereth kindly;
See the eyes that wont to shine, Uttering love, now staring blindly; Tender-hearted speech departed- Speech that echoed so divinely.
Runs no more the circling river,
Warming, brightening every part; There it slumbereth cold forever- No more merry leap and start; No more flushing cheeks to blushing- In its silent home, the heart.
Hope not answer to your praying! Cold, responseless lies she there: Death, that ever will be slaying
Something gentle, something fair, Came with numbers soft as slumbers- She is with him otherwhere!
Mother! yes, you scarce would chide her Had you seen the form he bore, Heard the words he spoke beside her, Tender as the look he wore,
While he proved her how he loved her More than mother-ten times more!
Earthly father! weep not o'er her! To another Father's breast, On the wings of love he bore her, To the kingdom of the blest, Where no weeping eyelids keeping, Dwells she now in perfect rest.
Friend! he was a friend that found her Amid blessings poor and scant,
With a wicked world around her, And within a heavenly want;
And supplied her, home to guide her, Wings for which the weary pant.
Lover! yes, she loved thee dearly! When she left thee loved thee best! Love, she knew, alone burns clearly In the bosoms of the blest; Love she bore thee, watches o'er thee, Is the angel in thy breast!
Mourners all! have done with weeping! I will tell you what he said,
When he came and found her sleeping; On her heart his hand he laid :- "Sleep is, maiden, sorrow-laden; Peace dwells only with the dead.
"Wend with me across the river, Seems so bitter, is so sweet; On whose other shore forever Happy, holy spirits greet; Grief all over, friend and lover In a sweet communion meet
"It is better, father, mother, Lover, friend, to leave behind;
All their blessed loves and other,
Come with me, and thou shalt find,
Where thy spirit shall inherit
Perfect love and perfect mind.
"Love that is to mortals given Struggles with imperfect will; Love alone that homes in heaven Can its perfect self fulfill; Where possessing every blessing, Still it grows and greatens still!
THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL. 419
"See, I bring thee wings to bear thee,
To the blessed angel-home;
Dear ones dead forever near thee, From thy side no more to roam; Love increased, wait, thou blessed, Till the living loved ones come!
"O'er the river!" Lo! she faltered, While he took her by the hand; And her blessèd face grew altered As she heard the sweet command. Father lover! all was over!
So she passed to Spirit-Land!
The Dying Christain to his Soul.
VITAL spark of heavenly flame,
Quit, O quit, this mortal frame!
Trembling, hoping, lingering, flying-
O the pain, the bliss of dying!
Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife,
And let me languish into life!
Hark! they whisper: angels say,
Sister spirit, come away!
What is this absorbs me quite,
Steals my senses, shuts my sight, Drowns my spirit, draws my breath? Tell me, my soul! can this be death?
The world recedes-it disappears; Heaven opens on my eyes, my ears With sounds seraphic ring;
Lend, lend your wings! I mount, I fly!
O Grave! where is thy victory?
O Death! where is thy sting?
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