206
THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.
Bright hopes that came to them in golden showers,
Fond promises that were too dear to keep,
Tears that were shed in vain o'er dying flowers,
These haunt them yet through the night's stormy hours;—
Weep for the living, weep!
Fond promises that were too dear to keep,
Tears that were shed in vain o'er dying flowers,
These haunt them yet through the night's stormy hours;—
Weep for the living, weep!
Mourn not the dead!—No more the tranquil bosom
Shall feel the pains that eat its life away;
No more the canker shall molest the blossom,
The cloud no more shall intercept the ray;
Safe from the shocks that heave life's billowy ocean.
Their barks have reached at last a peaceful shore,
Where nevermore one agonized emotion
Shall thrill their hearts amidst the dark commotion;—
Weep for the dead no more!
Shall feel the pains that eat its life away;
No more the canker shall molest the blossom,
The cloud no more shall intercept the ray;
Safe from the shocks that heave life's billowy ocean.
Their barks have reached at last a peaceful shore,
Where nevermore one agonized emotion
Shall thrill their hearts amidst the dark commotion;—
Weep for the dead no more!
Tears for the living!—down the sea of error
Their barks are hastening towards destruction's goal;
O'ershadow'd by dismay and doubt and terror;—
Pray for the welfare of each passing soul!
Toss'd by the waves of falsehood, tempest-shaken,
Its best gifts thrown to the remorseless deep,
The spirit long its mourning-garb hath taken;
Oh! it is sad from our first dreams to waken;—
Weep for the living, weep!
Their barks are hastening towards destruction's goal;
O'ershadow'd by dismay and doubt and terror;—
Pray for the welfare of each passing soul!
Toss'd by the waves of falsehood, tempest-shaken,
Its best gifts thrown to the remorseless deep,
The spirit long its mourning-garb hath taken;
Oh! it is sad from our first dreams to waken;—
Weep for the living, weep!
