 | Sequences, Hymns, and Other Ecclesiastical Verses |  |
120
In Memoriam.
There must, in every cause, be some first Martyr
To suffer and to fall:
There must be also those content to barter
Their victory for their all.
To suffer and to fall:
There must be also those content to barter
Their victory for their all.
And now it was so. He whose wisdom guarded
Their fear amidst distress;
He, whose dear succour had so oft awarded
Great help to great success:
Their fear amidst distress;
He, whose dear succour had so oft awarded
Great help to great success:
He, who, to risk himself so long forbidden
Against the rebel foe,—
Was, in the hour of victory warned, that hidden
Murderers might lay him low.
Against the rebel foe,—
Was, in the hour of victory warned, that hidden
Murderers might lay him low.
121
He, fully prescient of that utter danger,
Went forth in all his state:
And she, to that same peril not a stranger,
Stood by, to share his fate:
Went forth in all his state:
And she, to that same peril not a stranger,
Stood by, to share his fate:
He fell — when could he better fall? — most glorious
After the end of strife:
He fell—when could he better fall?—victorious;
The work done of his life.
After the end of strife:
He fell—when could he better fall?—victorious;
The work done of his life.
Weep not for him; There is small cause for weeping;
He is but laid to rest
Who, after such long trouble, is but sleeping
Upon a heavenly breast.
He is but laid to rest
Who, after such long trouble, is but sleeping
Upon a heavenly breast.
Rebellion so crushed out, that they who feel it,
Are gnawing their heart's core:
It was, perchance, but meet his blood should seal it,
Whose name lives evermore.
Are gnawing their heart's core:
It was, perchance, but meet his blood should seal it,
Whose name lives evermore.
122
He never can, in this world, see the vision
He hoped of peace and love;
But who can tell his more complete fruition
Of that same peace, above?
He hoped of peace and love;
But who can tell his more complete fruition
Of that same peace, above?
| Sequences, Hymns, and Other Ecclesiastical Verses | |