University of Virginia Library

Nature is dumb on this important point,
Or Hope precarious in low whisper breathes:

64

Faith speaks aloud, distinct; e'en adders hear,
But turn, and dart into the dark again.
Faith builds a bridge across the gulf of Death,
To break the shock blind Nature cannot shun,
And lands Thought smoothly on the farther shore.
Death's terror is the mountain Faith removes,
That mountain-barrier between man and peace.
'Tis Faith disarms Destruction, and absolves
From every clamorous charge the guiltless tomb.