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The Poems of J. J. Callanan

A New Edition, with Biographical Introduction and Notes

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LINES ON A DECEASED CLERGYMAN.

Breathe not his honor'd name,
Silently keep it;
Hush'd be the sadd'ning theme,
In secrecy weep it;
Call not a warmer flow
To eyes that are aching;
Wake not a deeper throe
In hearts that are breaking.
Oh 'tis a placid rest;
Who should deplore it?
Trance of the pure and blest—
Angels watch o'er it;

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Sleep of his mortal night,
Sorrow can't break it?
Heaven's own morning light
Alone shall awake it.
Nobly thy course is run;
Splendour is round it;
Bravely thy fight is won;
Freedom hath crown'd it;
In the high warfare
Of heaven, grown hoary,
Thou'rt gone like the summer-sun,
Shrouded in glory.
Twine,—twine the victor wreath,
Spirits that meet him;
Sweet songs of triumph breath,
Seraphs to greet him;
From his high resting place
Who shall him sever,
With his God—face to face,
Leave him for ever.