University of Virginia Library

X.—THE RAPTURE BEYOND.

And all the rapture beckoning beyond!
The tender grasses soft beside the way,
And all the fervour of the first long day
In heaven, and all love's kisses pure and fond!
Death is the enchanter who with magic wand
Shall turn earth's skies Novembral, cold and grey,
Into sweet sunsets sweet as the display
Of August, when the red cloud-mail is donned.
All flowers in heaven are women—all are white
Therefore; they dazzle gleaming from the sod,
Soft from the valley, silver from the height,
Moon-tinted round each grass-bedecked abode,
Fragrant and fresh as from the burning bright
Profound unutterable embrace of God.