Poems (Hinxman)/Earth's Sanctuary
EARTH'S SANCTUARY.
There is on earth one special, sacred shrine,
With human love's best offerings ever crowned;
One spot whereon the constant sunbeams shine
Of peace and hope, though all be dark around.
With human love's best offerings ever crowned;
One spot whereon the constant sunbeams shine
Of peace and hope, though all be dark around.
Bold voices may be rife, and lawless feet,
The heavens to mantling clouds may yield their face,—
This shrine is safe from sound or step unmeet,
No cloud can from this spot the sunbeam chase.
The heavens to mantling clouds may yield their face,—
This shrine is safe from sound or step unmeet,
No cloud can from this spot the sunbeam chase.
What is this favoured place?—a Home of peace
Where youth expands in innocence and love?
Ah, fair is this! but love may chill or cease,
And innocence a blighted flower may prove.
Where youth expands in innocence and love?
Ah, fair is this! but love may chill or cease,
And innocence a blighted flower may prove.
Or is it Manhood's course, well aimed and pure,
Shaped by high impulse and serene endeavour?
Ah! who that stands may fall not? who is sure
Until the battle hour is past for ever?
Shaped by high impulse and serene endeavour?
Ah! who that stands may fall not? who is sure
Until the battle hour is past for ever?
Holy and dear the Temples where we meet,
But does no evil e'er find entrance there?
Alas! too oft those mournful walls repeat
The idle echoes of a heartless prayer!
But does no evil e'er find entrance there?
Alas! too oft those mournful walls repeat
The idle echoes of a heartless prayer!
Not Home or Church, pure Youth or upright Prime,
Or saintly Age, are safe from shade or fall;
All these confess the laws of earth and time,—
Change, failure, blemish, loss, may pass o'er all.
Or saintly Age, are safe from shade or fall;
All these confess the laws of earth and time,—
Change, failure, blemish, loss, may pass o'er all.
This is earth's law; then seek we on her breast
A spot untouched by evil or by gloom?
Yes, one such spot she boasts of perfect rest,
Beauty, and holiness,—a Christian's Tomb.
A spot untouched by evil or by gloom?
Yes, one such spot she boasts of perfect rest,
Beauty, and holiness,—a Christian's Tomb.
Here Peace unvexed takes up her dwelling; here
Sit Hope and Memory through the quiet days,
Talking and weaving wreaths, and find new cheer
As in each other's gentle eyes they gaze.
Sit Hope and Memory through the quiet days,
Talking and weaving wreaths, and find new cheer
As in each other's gentle eyes they gaze.
From hence does pining Sorrow hold aloof,
Or coming, self-forgetful, learns to smile;
Here is long rest, and ease without reproof,
Honour, which after-fault shall ne'er defile.
Or coming, self-forgetful, learns to smile;
Here is long rest, and ease without reproof,
Honour, which after-fault shall ne'er defile.
Mute is Detraction in this charmed air,
Envy far off, Love ever paces round,
Heedful that tender words and quiet prayer
Alone should murmur o'er the happy ground.
Envy far off, Love ever paces round,
Heedful that tender words and quiet prayer
Alone should murmur o'er the happy ground.
Who calls thee gloomy, sacred bed of rest,
Where Life, and Love, and Power, their couch have made?
Soft is the pillow which a Saviour pressed,
And blessings linger in the sacred shade.
Where Life, and Love, and Power, their couch have made?
Soft is the pillow which a Saviour pressed,
And blessings linger in the sacred shade.
April 2. 1850.