Gaston de Blondeville, or The court of Henry III Keeping festival in Ardenne, a romance. St. Alban's Abbey, a metrical tale; With some poetical pieces. By Anne Radcliffe ... To which is prefixed: A memoir of the author, with extracts from her journals. In four volumes |
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 | Gaston de Blondeville, or The court of Henry III |  |
XLI.
THE CHOIR.
“In regions of eternal light,Where Truth and Mercy never cease,
Oh! may each summoned soul delight,
And rest! for ever rest! in peace!
I heard a seraph-voice speak nigh,
And thus, in thrilling sound it said,
‘For ever blessed are the dead,
Who faithful and repentant die!’”
After high chorus through the vaulted sphere
Had slowly sunk around the warrior's bier,
This strain from monks in demi-chaunt arose,
With many a solemn pause and touching close.
Had slowly sunk around the warrior's bier,
This strain from monks in demi-chaunt arose,
With many a solemn pause and touching close.
SUNG ROUND THE BIER.
To thee I lifted up mine eyes,To thee, upon the mountains throned!
To thee, who spread the boundless skies,
And hung them with thy worlds around.”
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The fathers ceased, and, from the choir again
Swelled o'er the organ this resounding strain.
Swelled o'er the organ this resounding strain.
THE CHOIR.
“'Twas mine to hear a seraph-voice,And thus in thrilling words it said,
‘Repentance bids the soul rejoice;
Repentance sanctifies the dead.’”
The choral sounds sunk tremulously fine,
As closed those solemn words—in hushing sign
Of tender awe—sorrow by faith subdued—
Stillness of spirit—meekest gratitude.
Then the full grandeur of the organs rolled,
Then soft, as if by pious peace controlled,
Low murmured, while the mingled chorus passed
From choir and bier, and calmer sadness cast.
As closed those solemn words—in hushing sign
Of tender awe—sorrow by faith subdued—
Stillness of spirit—meekest gratitude.
Then the full grandeur of the organs rolled,
Then soft, as if by pious peace controlled,
Low murmured, while the mingled chorus passed
From choir and bier, and calmer sadness cast.
| Gaston de Blondeville, or The court of Henry III | |