Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems By the Lady E. Stuart Wortley. In Three Vols |
 | I, II, III. |
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THE DEATH-BELL. |
 | Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems |  |
THE DEATH-BELL.
'Tis the Death-bell's echoing toll!
From this world hath gone a soul:
Do the Dead, without a voice—
Now in shrouds and cells rejoice?
From this world hath gone a soul:
Do the Dead, without a voice—
Now in shrouds and cells rejoice?
Do they gladden at that sound—
Mouldering, mouldering, in the ground?
Shall they welcome him who comes,
To the silence of their homes?
Mouldering, mouldering, in the ground?
Shall they welcome him who comes,
To the silence of their homes?
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Oh! the world he leaves behind,
Is but thinly, thinly lined,
To the world to which he goes—
In the under-earth's repose.—
Is but thinly, thinly lined,
To the world to which he goes—
In the under-earth's repose.—
Very scanty, in compare,
Life's proud, noisy legions are!—
The unseen world is peopled most—
Here a handful—there a host!—
Life's proud, noisy legions are!—
The unseen world is peopled most—
Here a handful—there a host!—
We are some few gathered bands,
They are countless as the sands!—
As the stars that line the sky—
And increase incessantly!—
They are countless as the sands!—
As the stars that line the sky—
And increase incessantly!—
How they crowded are beneath,
In the capitals of Death!—
Whence none ever may depart;
Death, a regal thing thou art!—
In the capitals of Death!—
Whence none ever may depart;
Death, a regal thing thou art!—
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Couldst thou with thine Army come
From the kingdoms of the tomb,
Earth were darkened with them then—
Though but shadows of dead men.
From the kingdoms of the tomb,
Earth were darkened with them then—
Though but shadows of dead men.
'Tis the Death-bell's hollow toll;
From the world hath gone a soul:
Who may guess and who may know,
If to endless bliss or woe?
From the world hath gone a soul:
Who may guess and who may know,
If to endless bliss or woe?
None may know—and none may dream—
But 'tis floated down the stream—
Hark! the death-bell's echoing toll!
Earth is widowed of a soul!—
But 'tis floated down the stream—
Hark! the death-bell's echoing toll!
Earth is widowed of a soul!—
'Tis the Death-bell swinging slow,
Aye, the world is widowed now,
Of a soul—a conscious soul—
Let it mourn in fitting dole.—
Aye, the world is widowed now,
Of a soul—a conscious soul—
Let it mourn in fitting dole.—
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Little mourning—little woe,
Hath the world time to bestow:
Let the Dead not blame their lot—
They forget—and are forgot!
Hath the world time to bestow:
Let the Dead not blame their lot—
They forget—and are forgot!
Little mourning—little grief,—
Partial these, and light and brief,
Hath the world to give her Dead!—
She hath living loves instead!
Partial these, and light and brief,
Hath the world to give her Dead!—
She hath living loves instead!
Soon their very names are lost—
Never by their shadows crossed—
Are thy haunts of stir and glee—
World—whom they loved foolishly!
Never by their shadows crossed—
Are thy haunts of stir and glee—
World—whom they loved foolishly!
Weakly did they love thee, World!
Till the bolt was sternly hurled
At their too-devoted hearts—
Then vanished they—as smoke departs!
Till the bolt was sternly hurled
At their too-devoted hearts—
Then vanished they—as smoke departs!
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Their possessions and their rights—
All their splendours and delights,
Dost thou now to others give;
Those who laugh, and love, and live.—
All their splendours and delights,
Dost thou now to others give;
Those who laugh, and love, and live.—
Never seem thy proud scenes crossed
By the shadows of the lost—
Thou dost fling them to their fate,
As with very scorn or hate.
By the shadows of the lost—
Thou dost fling them to their fate,
As with very scorn or hate.
Could they start up from the tomb,
From its desolation's gloom,
How, with jealous wrath, would they
See thou this new rule obey!
From its desolation's gloom,
How, with jealous wrath, would they
See thou this new rule obey!
All that once was theirs alone,
They would see profusely thrown
At the feet of others then—
The new race of living men!
They would see profusely thrown
At the feet of others then—
The new race of living men!
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All that they so prized and loved
Long from their faint grasp removed,
Long from them, by death's power riven—
They would see to others given.
Long from their faint grasp removed,
Long from them, by death's power riven—
They would see to others given.
All they must have proved and known,
All they boasted as their own,
They would see enjoyed, possessed
By many another earthly guest!—
All they boasted as their own,
They would see enjoyed, possessed
By many another earthly guest!—
Children of this later age,
Their successors on the stage,
They would in possession find
Of the treasures they resigned.
Their successors on the stage,
They would in possession find
Of the treasures they resigned.
Hollow World, how vain thou art!—
Thou hast an inconstant heart;
Faithless art thou—false—untrue—
Ever choosing masters new!
Thou hast an inconstant heart;
Faithless art thou—false—untrue—
Ever choosing masters new!
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Masters new thou choosest still,
With a never constant will—
And rejectest these in turn!—
All, thy hollowness shall learn.
With a never constant will—
And rejectest these in turn!—
All, thy hollowness shall learn.
All shall learn thy hollowness,
And thy falsehood's foul excess—
Whoso puts in thee his trust
Clings to ashes and to dust.
And thy falsehood's foul excess—
Whoso puts in thee his trust
Clings to ashes and to dust.
Ashes—dust their portion was,
Ere they to the grave did pass—
Hollow as the grave art thou—
Hungry as the Death, e'en now!—
Ere they to the grave did pass—
Hollow as the grave art thou—
Hungry as the Death, e'en now!—
Thou a thousand spoils enjoys't,
Thou devourest and destroy'st:
They that now thy homage claim,
Shall soon be nothing or a name.
Thou devourest and destroy'st:
They that now thy homage claim,
Shall soon be nothing or a name.
338
Each new fondly-favoured guest
Shall soon be cast out like the rest;
Masters new thou still wilt have—
Thou dost change incessant crave!
Shall soon be cast out like the rest;
Masters new thou still wilt have—
Thou dost change incessant crave!
Change incessant still thou hast;
Much is with the faded past—
Left behind for evermore,
Much that pleased thee well before.
Much is with the faded past—
Left behind for evermore,
Much that pleased thee well before.
Much that had thy love and praise,
The sun's immortal changeless rays,
Look down on a world of change,
Where all is new, and fresh, and strange.—
The sun's immortal changeless rays,
Look down on a world of change,
Where all is new, and fresh, and strange.—
Oh! ye Dead, could ye arise,
Could you now unclose your eyes—
Starting from the charnelled urn—
Could ye, could ye but return—
Could you now unclose your eyes—
Starting from the charnelled urn—
Could ye, could ye but return—
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How, with shudderings, and with sighs,
With dismay and stern surprise,
Would you view the altered scene,
Altered from what it hath been!
With dismay and stern surprise,
Would you view the altered scene,
Altered from what it hath been!
All ye loved and laboured most
To contrive at any cost—
All you thought should still remain,
Till the end of Time's deep reign,
To contrive at any cost—
All you thought should still remain,
Till the end of Time's deep reign,
You should find, subverted quite,
Buried like yourselves in night;
Lost, forgotten—thrust aside:—
When ye perished—these things died!
Buried like yourselves in night;
Lost, forgotten—thrust aside:—
When ye perished—these things died!
When you parted—they were not!—
Sharing your dark, heavy lot:
All wherein you placed your trust
Soon followed you into the dust!
Sharing your dark, heavy lot:
All wherein you placed your trust
Soon followed you into the dust!
340
There for ever to remain
Not to be recall'd again;
(Save, if called by others forth—
Haply to enjoy their worth!)
Not to be recall'd again;
(Save, if called by others forth—
Haply to enjoy their worth!)
Then no thought of ye should come,
Nor of your former—present doom;
With these things no thought of ye;
The world hath a brief memory.
Nor of your former—present doom;
With these things no thought of ye;
The world hath a brief memory.
Oh! ye Dead, could ye arise
Could ye open now your eyes—
Could ye cast your bonds away,
You should shudder with dismay:—
Could ye open now your eyes—
Could ye cast your bonds away,
You should shudder with dismay:—
You should shudder to behold
How, while ye slept in the mould,
That false world ye loved so well,
All your memory did expel!—
How, while ye slept in the mould,
That false world ye loved so well,
All your memory did expel!—
341
Every shadow—every trace—
Every record did efface
From her proud and busy scene,
As though ye had never been!
Every record did efface
From her proud and busy scene,
As though ye had never been!
Every trace removed from earth,
Of your death, and of your birth—
Yet your living souls appeared,
To her bosom's love endeared—
Of your death, and of your birth—
Yet your living souls appeared,
To her bosom's love endeared—
Yet—when you were living—yet
For you seemed suns to rise and set,
Gales to breathe—and streams to flow—
Trees to fruit—and flowers to blow!
For you seemed suns to rise and set,
Gales to breathe—and streams to flow—
Trees to fruit—and flowers to blow!
Still—when you were living—still
Her great heart appeared to thrill
In your presence—to your power,
Heirs of Life's fast fleeting hour!
Her great heart appeared to thrill
In your presence—to your power,
Heirs of Life's fast fleeting hour!
342
Nature round, with smile and voice,
In that presence did rejoice—
And for you the punctual Spring,
Brought forth every precious thing!—
In that presence did rejoice—
And for you the punctual Spring,
Brought forth every precious thing!—
For you the Earth's embedded mines—
Where the sumptuous treasure shines—
Gave that glittering treasure forth,
All for you their wealth and worth!
Where the sumptuous treasure shines—
Gave that glittering treasure forth,
All for you their wealth and worth!
Then for you was all that is!—
For your good—and for your bliss!—
Golden harvests teeming round,
Loaded then for you the ground—
For your good—and for your bliss!—
Golden harvests teeming round,
Loaded then for you the ground—
All Earth's treasures, all her stores
Which for others now she pours—
Were for you—you only then,
Ne'er shall they be so again!—
Which for others now she pours—
Were for you—you only then,
Ne'er shall they be so again!—
343
Then for you was spread the feast;
Each seemed then the favoured guest—
All her triumphs then were spread
Round your paths—forgotten Dead!
Each seemed then the favoured guest—
All her triumphs then were spread
Round your paths—forgotten Dead!
All her glory—all her good—
Gave she then in liberal mood;
Unto you—ye Dead!—and gave—
First that glory—then the grave!
Gave she then in liberal mood;
Unto you—ye Dead!—and gave—
First that glory—then the grave!
All her treasures without bound,
Scattered in your paths were found;
All these treasures of her mine
Ye were called on to resign.
Scattered in your paths were found;
All these treasures of her mine
Ye were called on to resign.
Ye had joy and ye had power,
In your living, conscious hour—
Power and joy all snatched away;
You were left to your own clay.
In your living, conscious hour—
Power and joy all snatched away;
You were left to your own clay.
344
All the portion of your trust
Then might be your own pale dust;
And that was mouldering day by day,
Withering—vanishing away!
Then might be your own pale dust;
And that was mouldering day by day,
Withering—vanishing away!
All the world's immensity
To your footsteps once was free;
But when Death became your doom,
Cramped and narrow was your home!
To your footsteps once was free;
But when Death became your doom,
Cramped and narrow was your home!
Cramped and narrow, dark and dull,
'Stead of regions beautiful,
With Heaven's glorious dome of sky
O'er them proudly stretched on high.—
'Stead of regions beautiful,
With Heaven's glorious dome of sky
O'er them proudly stretched on high.—
Oh! for ye, in the olden days,
Spread the woods o'ershadowing maze—
With its lovely vernal dyes,
And embowering privacies;
Spread the woods o'ershadowing maze—
With its lovely vernal dyes,
And embowering privacies;
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And for you the dew's soft shower
Fell on herb and tree and flower—
In unfailing freshness still—
On the valley or the hill!
Fell on herb and tree and flower—
In unfailing freshness still—
On the valley or the hill!
And the springing fountain played,
And the welcome cloud delayed—
When the Sun's meridian blaze,
Was too scorching to the gaze.
And the welcome cloud delayed—
When the Sun's meridian blaze,
Was too scorching to the gaze.
Aye! for you those brooding clouds
Wove their aëry, golden shrouds—
When perchance the proud Sun's light
Was too burning and too bright;
Wove their aëry, golden shrouds—
When perchance the proud Sun's light
Was too burning and too bright;
In the sultry Summer's hours,
When he scorcheth fields and bowers—
In the sultry summer-times,
When he burns the parching climes.
When he scorcheth fields and bowers—
In the sultry summer-times,
When he burns the parching climes.
346
And for ye, the living things;
Filled the air with sound of wings,
Or their pasture, peaceful found,
On the ever-teeming ground.
Filled the air with sound of wings,
Or their pasture, peaceful found,
On the ever-teeming ground.
For you still, the lovely land
Did in prospects fair expand—
And a thousand scenes of pride
Scattered were on every side.
Did in prospects fair expand—
And a thousand scenes of pride
Scattered were on every side.
Mountains rose, and valleys spread,
For ye then—unconscious Dead!—
And these charmed your lingering sight,
With their beauty and their might.
For ye then—unconscious Dead!—
And these charmed your lingering sight,
With their beauty and their might.
And the great and glorious Sea,
As your vassal seemed to be,
And your mighty barks rode brave
O'er the navigated wave.—
As your vassal seemed to be,
And your mighty barks rode brave
O'er the navigated wave.—
347
Yes! its glorious aid it lent
That triumphant element!
Unto ye for evermore
Stretching, broad, from shore to shore!
That triumphant element!
Unto ye for evermore
Stretching, broad, from shore to shore!
Wafting far, from clime to clime
Treasures radiant and sublime—
For your pleasure or your pride,
That unfathomable tide!
Treasures radiant and sublime—
For your pleasure or your pride,
That unfathomable tide!
And its murmurings on the shore
When the tempest raved no more,
Were as grateful to your ear
As to us they now appear.—
When the tempest raved no more,
Were as grateful to your ear
As to us they now appear.—
And the sea smells fresh, and deep,
Did your senses soothing steep,
In a joy as calm and pure
As for us doth now endure.
Did your senses soothing steep,
In a joy as calm and pure
As for us doth now endure.
348
Earth, and Sea, and Sky, and Air,
With their treasures rich and rare,
Seemed for your sole pleasure then,
Oh! ye race of silent men!
With their treasures rich and rare,
Seemed for your sole pleasure then,
Oh! ye race of silent men!
All their splendours, all their shows,
In their glory of repose—
All the mystery of their change,
Ever wonderful and strange;—
In their glory of repose—
All the mystery of their change,
Ever wonderful and strange;—
All that proudly doth appear
Spread before us daily here—
Nature's more than princely dowers,
All her riches—all her powers;—
Spread before us daily here—
Nature's more than princely dowers,
All her riches—all her powers;—
These your mighty portions were—
Earth, and Sea, and Sky, and Air,
Till your rapid years were told,
And ye sank into the mould!
Earth, and Sea, and Sky, and Air,
Till your rapid years were told,
And ye sank into the mould!
349
Till your brief, brief tale was done,
And ye saw no more the Sun—
Though he shone as brightly down
On the world, whence ye had flown.
And ye saw no more the Sun—
Though he shone as brightly down
On the world, whence ye had flown.
Till your sand was run, and sped
Your short race with winged tread;
For how quickly were ye lost—
Pale, and still, and breathless Host!
Your short race with winged tread;
For how quickly were ye lost—
Pale, and still, and breathless Host!
Then quickly all things passed from ye,
Silent, solemn company!—
And with none to shield and save,
Sunk ye in the gloomy grave.
Silent, solemn company!—
And with none to shield and save,
Sunk ye in the gloomy grave.
Then ye, oh! Dead, who from your birth
Reigned the lords of all the earth—
Ye who ruled, and who enjoyed,
Sank into the shadowy void.—
Reigned the lords of all the earth—
Ye who ruled, and who enjoyed,
Sank into the shadowy void.—
350
Then forgotten was your name:
Other generations came,
To sit successively upon
Your deserted vacant throne!
Other generations came,
To sit successively upon
Your deserted vacant throne!
Ye who ruled us from your birth,
Then ye abdicated earth—
The strength, the sceptre, and the sway,
Passed indeed from ye away.—
Then ye abdicated earth—
The strength, the sceptre, and the sway,
Passed indeed from ye away.—
That sway hath passed to other hands;
In the wide world's countless lands
Nothing of your rule remained,
E'en your memory was disdained.
In the wide world's countless lands
Nothing of your rule remained,
E'en your memory was disdained.
Ye from all possessions hurled,
Once throned masters of the world,
Were in one dark moment thrust
From its glory, to its dust!
Once throned masters of the world,
Were in one dark moment thrust
From its glory, to its dust!
351
Ye resigned your part and place—
The excommunicated race—
And exchanged, as all men must,
Its dominion for its dust.
The excommunicated race—
And exchanged, as all men must,
Its dominion for its dust.
Never more for ye might smile,
Mount, or continent, or isle;
Never more for ye might gleam,
Sunshine bright on mount or stream.
Mount, or continent, or isle;
Never more for ye might gleam,
Sunshine bright on mount or stream.
Never more the great sun rise
In the illuminated skies—
Not a single flashing ray,
Pierce the dust of your decay!
In the illuminated skies—
Not a single flashing ray,
Pierce the dust of your decay!
Never more for you shall bring,
Autumn, Winter, Summer, Spring—
All their varied stores, sublime—
Ye have done with these, and Time!
Autumn, Winter, Summer, Spring—
All their varied stores, sublime—
Ye have done with these, and Time!
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Never more, oh! never more
Shall the sea, from shore to shore,
Waft proud worlds of wealth for ye—
Pale, unconscious company!
Shall the sea, from shore to shore,
Waft proud worlds of wealth for ye—
Pale, unconscious company!
Never more shall ye admire
Pearly moon, or sunset's fire;
Nor shall Heaven's rich pageantry
Of stain'd clouds charm more your eye!—
Pearly moon, or sunset's fire;
Nor shall Heaven's rich pageantry
Of stain'd clouds charm more your eye!—
And all those odoriferous airs,
Summer with her treasure bears
To the earth's bosom—deep, intense,
Never more shall witch your sense!
Summer with her treasure bears
To the earth's bosom—deep, intense,
Never more shall witch your sense!
Not the melody of birds—
Nor the lowing noise of herds—
Nor the insects' happy hum—
To your deaf, dull ear can come.
Nor the lowing noise of herds—
Nor the insects' happy hum—
To your deaf, dull ear can come.
353
Yea! ye are indeed dethroned,
And your empire is disowned,
By the hollow-hearted earth,
Loving still her latest birth!—
And your empire is disowned,
By the hollow-hearted earth,
Loving still her latest birth!—
All forgetful of the past—
Loving but the latest—last—
Turning ever from the old,
To the new to cling and hold!
Loving but the latest—last—
Turning ever from the old,
To the new to cling and hold!
From her memory bent to efface,
Every shadow, every trace,
Of the past and of the dead,
To the living, bound instead.—
Every shadow, every trace,
Of the past and of the dead,
To the living, bound instead.—
But 'tis well—'tis surely well!
And the Dead who silent dwell,
Hersed in mould—beneath earth's floor—
Should remembered be no more!—
And the Dead who silent dwell,
Hersed in mould—beneath earth's floor—
Should remembered be no more!—
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Weary were it did the earth
Give us mourning stead of mirth—
Greet her new-born but with tears,
Shed for those of other years.—
Give us mourning stead of mirth—
Greet her new-born but with tears,
Shed for those of other years.—
Gloomy were it—did she turn
From her present, still to yearn
For her lost and buried past—
And those from her dominion cast.—
From her present, still to yearn
For her lost and buried past—
And those from her dominion cast.—
Mournful—were she, sadly bent
Still to languish and lament
For all that she hath darkly lost—
By ten thousand shadows cross'd!
Still to languish and lament
For all that she hath darkly lost—
By ten thousand shadows cross'd!
Cross'd by thousand shadows still,
Till the wood and till the hill
Should a heavy aspect wear,
And a weight of sadness bear!
Till the wood and till the hill
Should a heavy aspect wear,
And a weight of sadness bear!
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And the moss-banks and the stream,
E'en the sun's transcendant beam,
Should in sorrow faintly own
A strange gloom around them thrown.
E'en the sun's transcendant beam,
Should in sorrow faintly own
A strange gloom around them thrown.
O'er the dew-drop and the leaf,
Then should brood a dream of grief—
O'er the herb and o'er the flower,
The universal cloud should lower!
Then should brood a dream of grief—
O'er the herb and o'er the flower,
The universal cloud should lower!
Death his mighty, mighty wings,
Should then close around all things—
Widely—fearfully unfurled,
O'er the life of the whole world!
Should then close around all things—
Widely—fearfully unfurled,
O'er the life of the whole world!
Life, in sooth, should cower beneath
The presence of the o'ermastering Death—
Raised to still more awful height,
Dowered with yet more awful might!
The presence of the o'ermastering Death—
Raised to still more awful height,
Dowered with yet more awful might!
356
Life itself, the fleeting breath,
Should seem the Shadow of the Death!—
Did Creation thus confer
On him those gifts it owes to her!—
Should seem the Shadow of the Death!—
Did Creation thus confer
On him those gifts it owes to her!—
Did this Earth for evermore
At his gloomy shrine adore—
To his service consecrate
All she hath of fair and great;—
At his gloomy shrine adore—
To his service consecrate
All she hath of fair and great;—
Did she dedicate to him—
The ruthless spoiler—gaunt and grim—
All her pomps and treasures fair,
And his yoke of mourning bear;—
The ruthless spoiler—gaunt and grim—
All her pomps and treasures fair,
And his yoke of mourning bear;—
Did she still lamenting grieve,
And no comfort's balm receive—
For Her vanished myriads lost,
Cherishing their memory most!—
And no comfort's balm receive—
For Her vanished myriads lost,
Cherishing their memory most!—
357
Weeping for the myriads flown,
As though she were left alone—
In bereavement's heavy state,
Lorn, and sad, and desolate—
As though she were left alone—
In bereavement's heavy state,
Lorn, and sad, and desolate—
As though she were left alone
Weeping for those myriads flown;
While still around, of living forms,
Crowd the innumerable swarms.
Weeping for those myriads flown;
While still around, of living forms,
Crowd the innumerable swarms.
While thousands, thousands throng the way,
Hailing still the rising day—
Blessing still the smiling sun,
Smiling their fair homes upon:—
Hailing still the rising day—
Blessing still the smiling sun,
Smiling their fair homes upon:—
On their happy haunts and homes,
Their cities proud with towering domes—
Their hamlets free with cabins low,
For all the joy of sunshine know!
Their cities proud with towering domes—
Their hamlets free with cabins low,
For all the joy of sunshine know!
358
All exult in those bright beams
Lighting up the hills and streams—
The vernal woods—the teeming plains,
All are chained with golden chains!
Lighting up the hills and streams—
The vernal woods—the teeming plains,
All are chained with golden chains!
'Tis the Death-bell's echoing toll,
Earth is widowed of a Soul!—
One of myriads now is lost—
One is gained to the endless host.
Earth is widowed of a Soul!—
One of myriads now is lost—
One is gained to the endless host.
Earth shall mourn not for her dead;
She hath living loves instead:
Evermore a widow-bride—
Dead and Living, at her side!—
She hath living loves instead:
Evermore a widow-bride—
Dead and Living, at her side!—
She hath ever lost and found!—
With her marriage-garlands crowned
Her dark funeral veil beneath!—
Widow-bride of Life and Death!
With her marriage-garlands crowned
Her dark funeral veil beneath!—
Widow-bride of Life and Death!
359
Little recks she of the lost—
Leans she towards the found the most—
Seated at her marriage-feast,
Never hath the joyaunce ceased.
Leans she towards the found the most—
Seated at her marriage-feast,
Never hath the joyaunce ceased.
Burial followeth bridal close;
She may love, but she must lose—
What of that? fresh thousands start,
Claiming share of her proud heart.—
She may love, but she must lose—
What of that? fresh thousands start,
Claiming share of her proud heart.—
'Tis one bridal-burial feast,
But stills owns she love increased—
For the generation new,
To that living bridegroom true!—
But stills owns she love increased—
For the generation new,
To that living bridegroom true!—
Turning from her lords of old,
That stark race—the pale and cold—
Veiled and vanished from her view
All her love is for the new!
That stark race—the pale and cold—
Veiled and vanished from her view
All her love is for the new!
360
All her love for us is now,
And she wears a smiling brow—
Us to welcome and to greet—
Nor waileth o'er the winding-sheet!
And she wears a smiling brow—
Us to welcome and to greet—
Nor waileth o'er the winding-sheet!
Oh! for us she brightly spreads
Her rich dyed carpet, whereon treads
Lightsome foot of joy and hope—
She droops not, nor may we droop!—
Her rich dyed carpet, whereon treads
Lightsome foot of joy and hope—
She droops not, nor may we droop!—
And for us she clusters round
Shining treasures without bound;
All our paths she strews with flowers—
Her heart is free—then why not ours?
Shining treasures without bound;
All our paths she strews with flowers—
Her heart is free—then why not ours?
And for us—for us alone—
Are her pomps and glories shown;
All her triumphs and delights,
Through sunn'd days and starry nights.
Are her pomps and glories shown;
All her triumphs and delights,
Through sunn'd days and starry nights.
361
Morn and evening—night and day,
Shows her decked in rich array,
Us to charm and us to please,
Soul to soothe—and sense to seize.
Shows her decked in rich array,
Us to charm and us to please,
Soul to soothe—and sense to seize.
Us to charm and us to win,
Through Life's hurry, strife, and din,
Doth the Earth all hues assume
Of triumphal, festal bloom!—
Through Life's hurry, strife, and din,
Doth the Earth all hues assume
Of triumphal, festal bloom!—
Oh! ye Parted Ones!—ye Dead!—
Not for you her smiles are shed—
But those smiles ye may not heed—
Rapt away—for ever freed!—
Not for you her smiles are shed—
But those smiles ye may not heed—
Rapt away—for ever freed!—
Freed from every chain of care—
Breathing new, immortal air;
Freed from every tie of dust,
Ye may scorn her now—ye must!
Breathing new, immortal air;
Freed from every tie of dust,
Ye may scorn her now—ye must!
362
Ye have looked on lovelier flowers;
Ye have dwelt in brighter bowers;
Ye have hailed a heav'n more bright—
If ye lived and died aright!
Ye have dwelt in brighter bowers;
Ye have hailed a heav'n more bright—
If ye lived and died aright!
Ye have fairer things beheld—
Than e'en the lilies of her field;
Fairer still than Summer's rose—
Which in burning beauty glows.
Than e'en the lilies of her field;
Fairer still than Summer's rose—
Which in burning beauty glows.
Dull her mountain-springs must be,
Near those fountains, gushing free,
Which with day-like dazzling burst,
Flow to quench your spirit-thirst!—
Near those fountains, gushing free,
Which with day-like dazzling burst,
Flow to quench your spirit-thirst!—
Dark, indeed, her smiles to those
Which now light your fair repose;
Cold her triumphs and her glee
To your joy's intensity.
Which now light your fair repose;
Cold her triumphs and her glee
To your joy's intensity.
363
Poor, indeed, the precious things
Which this Earth as offerings brings—
To the costlier treasures there,
Marvellously rich and rare!
Which this Earth as offerings brings—
To the costlier treasures there,
Marvellously rich and rare!
Weak, indeed, her strength, her might,
Now in your enlightened sight—
Frail her power and false her pride,
With her change of time and tide.
Now in your enlightened sight—
Frail her power and false her pride,
With her change of time and tide.
Happy—happier ye, by far,
Than your vain successors are—
Basking in her beauty here—
Holding her, alas! too dear.
Than your vain successors are—
Basking in her beauty here—
Holding her, alas! too dear.
Many deaths in life they die,
Who cling with too much constancy
To this Earth, in love and pride—
With all her change of time and tide.
Who cling with too much constancy
To this Earth, in love and pride—
With all her change of time and tide.
364
Many things they see depart,
To which they had bound their heart;
These they see depart—decline—
And reluctantly resign—
To which they had bound their heart;
These they see depart—decline—
And reluctantly resign—
This chills the pulse—and checks the breath,
Then they know the touch of Death;
Then Death's freezing touch they know,
And besides—worlds, worlds of woe!—
Then they know the touch of Death;
Then Death's freezing touch they know,
And besides—worlds, worlds of woe!—
Hark! that Death-bell's echoing toll,
World! thou'rt widowed of a Soul!—
Soul! from pains and troubles free,
Thou'rt wedded to—the Eternity!
World! thou'rt widowed of a Soul!—
Soul! from pains and troubles free,
Thou'rt wedded to—the Eternity!
| Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems | |