As Ocean rolls its billows to the shore, CXLIII. SWEET is the scene when virtue dies, So fades a summer-cloud away; So sinks the gale when storms are o'er; So gently shuts the eye of day; So dies a wave along the shore. Its duty done, as sinks the clay, "Sweet is the scene when virtue dies!" ANOTHER year is swallowed by the sea Of sumless waves! Another year, thou past Eternity! Hath rolled o'er new-made graves. They open yet-to bid the living weep, While they, unswept into the ruthless deep, Why are we spared? Surely to wear away, Vile traces, left beneath the upbraiding spray, But there are things which time devoureth not: Thoughts whose green youth Flowers o'er the ashes of the unforgot; And words, whose fruit is truth. Are ye not imaged in the eternal sea, Things of to-day? Deeds which are harvest for eternity, Ye cannot pass away! CALL them from the dead For our eyes to see; Shook the earth, "Thus saith the Lord," A glorious company! Call them from the dead For our eyes to see: Sons of wisdom, song, and power, And making nations free – A glorious company! Call them from the dead Forms of beauty, love, and grace, That made it life to be A blessed company! Call them from the dead- But the hand of Death shall lay, CXLVI. I STOOP Into a dark tremendous sea of cloud. It is but for a time: I press God's lamp CXLVII. ART thou not from everlasting to everlasting? O God! mine Holy One! WE SHALL NOT DIE. CXLVIII. DEATH is the shadow of life; and as the tree Life eminent creates the shade of death ; CXLIX. THE cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, We are such stuff As dreams are made of; and our little life |