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University of Virginia Library

Lyrics by John B Tabb

Tabb, John B. (1845-1909)

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TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER.

MORNING AND NIGHT BLOOM.

THE YOUNG TENOR.

“VOX CLAMANTIS.”

AGAINST THE SKY.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

OFF SAN SALVADOR.

A SIGH OF THE SEA.

THE LOST ANCHOR.

THE SEA-BUBBLE.

THE RAIN AND THE DEW.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.

CLEOPATRA TO THE ASP.

TO A BLIND BABE, SLEEPING.

IN THE DEATH CHAMBER.

TRANSFIGURATION.

THE SIREN STREAM TO THE OUTCAST.

THE FIRST SNOW-FALL.

THE TRYST OF SPRING.

ONE APRIL MORN.

AN APRIL PRAYER.

AN AUTUMN LEAF.

MATER DOLOROSA.

FROM THE UNDERGROUND.

AN APRIL BLOOM.

SONG OF THE MORNING-GLORIES.

“CONSIDER THE LILIES.”

TO A WOOD-VIOLET.

TO THE WOOD-ROBIN.

THE DEAD THRUSH.

THE LAMB-CHILD.

THE ANGEL'S CHRISTMAS QUEST.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS.

TO THE CRUCIFIX.

EASTER MORNING.

EASTER FLOWERS.

DEUS ABSCONDITUS.

GOD'S LIKENESS.

THE SONG OF THE MAN.

ON SEA AND LAND.

STILLING THE TEMPEST.

BETTER.

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139

BETTER.

Better for Sin to dwell from Heaven apart
In foulest night,
Than on its lidless eyeballs feel the dart
Of torturing Light.
Better to pine in floods of sulphurous fire,
Than far above
Behold the bliss of satisfied desire,
Nor taste thereof.
Yea, Love is Lord, e'en where the Powers of Pain
Undying dwell:
Defiled, in spotless glory to remain
Were deeper hell.