How sweet with thee to lift the latch, Such have I seen: and while they pour'd I came again: the place was bright "With something of celestial light". A simple altar by the bed - For high Communion meetly spread, All mourners, one with dying breath, Once more I came: the silent room O soothe us, haunt us, night and day, With whom we shar'd the cup of grace, BURIAL OF THE DEAD. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier (and they that bare him stood still) and said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. St. Luke vii. 14, 15. WHO says, the wan autumnal sun Beams with too faint a smile To light up nature's face again, And, though the year be on the wane, With thoughts of spring the heart beguile ? Waft him, thou soft September breeze, And gently lay him down Within some circling woodland wall, Where bright leaves, reddening ere they fall, Wave gaily o'er the waters brown. And let some graceful arch be there With burnish'd ivy for its screen, And moss, that glows as fresh and green Who says the widow's heart must break, A kinder truer voice I hear, Which even beside that mournful bier Whence parents' eyes would hopeless shrink, Bids weep no more-O heart bereft, How strange, to thee, that sound! A widow o'er her only son, Feeling more bitterly alone For friends that press officious round. Yet is the voice of comfort heard, For Christ hath touch'd the bier- The swelling bosom dares not sigh, Even such an awful soothing calm A a On Christian mourners, while they wait And such the tones of love, which break Quelling th' embitter'd spirit's strife- "Am I believe, and die no more." : Unchang'd that voice—and though not yet The dead sit up and speak, Answering its call; we gladlier rest Our darlings on earth's quiet breast, And our hearts feel they must not break. Far better they should sleep awhile Within the church's shade, Nor wake, until new heaven, new earth, Meet for their new immortal birth For their abiding place be made, Than wander back to life, and lean On our frail love once more. |