 | Poems, original and translated |  |
179
A REQUIEM.
The music of the joyous bells,
That ring to welcome Christmas in,
And echo to the song that tells
The victory over death and sin,
That ring to welcome Christmas in,
And echo to the song that tells
The victory over death and sin,
Had scarcely ceased the glad acclaim,
In memory of that blessed birth,
When Death, the dark-robed angel, came
To call her from the woes of earth,—
In memory of that blessed birth,
When Death, the dark-robed angel, came
To call her from the woes of earth,—
180
Came, in the stillness of the night,
With silent step and healing hand,
To lead her way through gloom to light,
The glory of the heavenly land.
With silent step and healing hand,
To lead her way through gloom to light,
The glory of the heavenly land.
He led her home, whose lamp of love
No wintry flood can quench or dim;
Now, in His glorious house above,
Her rescued spirit dwells with Him.
No wintry flood can quench or dim;
Now, in His glorious house above,
Her rescued spirit dwells with Him.
Send out, O bells, your gladsome voice!
The morning breaks, the shadows flee!
Rise up, sad hearts,—rejoice! rejoice!
Smile through your tears,—a soul is free!
The morning breaks, the shadows flee!
Rise up, sad hearts,—rejoice! rejoice!
Smile through your tears,—a soul is free!
Dec. 25, 1870.
| Poems, original and translated | |