A memorial volume of sacred poetry by the late Sir John Bowring. To which is prefixed, a memoir of the author, by Lady Bowring |
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Hymn.
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 | A memorial volume of sacred poetry |  |
Hymn.
[Earth's transitory things decay]
“The Righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”
Earth's transitory things decay,
Its pomps, its pleasures pass away;
But the sweet memory of the good
Survives in the vicissitude.
Its pomps, its pleasures pass away;
But the sweet memory of the good
Survives in the vicissitude.
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As 'midst the ever-rolling sea
The eternal isles established be,
'Gainst which the surges of the main
Fret, dash, and break themselves in vain:
The eternal isles established be,
'Gainst which the surges of the main
Fret, dash, and break themselves in vain:
As in the heavens the urns divine
Of golden light for ever shine;
Though clouds may darken, storms may rage,
They still shine on from age to age:
Of golden light for ever shine;
Though clouds may darken, storms may rage,
They still shine on from age to age:
So, through the ocean-tide of years,
The memory of the just appears;
So, through the tempest and the gloom,
The good man's virtues light the tomb.
The memory of the just appears;
So, through the tempest and the gloom,
The good man's virtues light the tomb.
Happy the righteous! come what may,
Though heaven dissolve and earth decay;
Happy the righteous man! for he
Belongs to immortality.
Though heaven dissolve and earth decay;
Happy the righteous man! for he
Belongs to immortality.
| A memorial volume of sacred poetry | |