"There is no Death" Whoever says when clouds are in the sky, Whoever sees 'neath Winter's field of snow Whoever lies down on his couch to sleep, 3513 Whoever says, "To-morrow," "The unknown," "The future," trusts the Power alone He dares disown. The heart that looks on when eyelids close, God's comfort knows. There is no unbelief; And day by day, unconsciously, The heart lives by that faith the lips deny, Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton [1831-1891] "THERE IS NO DEATH" THERE is no death! The stars go down There is no death! The dust we tread Shall change beneath the summer showers To golden grain or mellow fruit Or rainbow-tinted flowers. The granite rocks disorganize To feed the hungry moss they bear; The forest leaves drink daily life From out the viewless air. There is no death! The leaves may fall, There is no death! An angel form He leaves our hearts all desolate- The bird-like voice, whose joyous tones Around the tree of life. Where'er He sees a smile too bright, Or heart too pure for taint and vice, He bears it to that world of light, To dwell in Paradise. Born unto that undying life, They leave us but to come again; With joy we welcome them-the same Except in sin and pain. And ever near us, though unseen, The dear immortal spirits tread; For all the boundless Universe Is life-there are no dead. Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton [1831-1891) THE FOOL'S PRAYER THE royal feast was done; the King Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!" The Fool's Prayer The jester doffed his cap and bells, And stood the mocking court before; They could not see the bitter smile Behind the painted grin he wore. He bowed his head, and bent his knee "No pity, Lord, could change the heart ""Tis not by guilt the onward sweep Of truth and right, O Lord, we stay; "Tis by our follies that so long We hold the earth from heaven away. "These clumsy feet, still in the mire, 3515 "The ill-timed truth we might have keptWho knows how sharp it pierced and stung? The word we had not sense to say Who knows how grandly it had rung! "Our faults no tenderness should ask, The chastening stripes must cleanse them all; But for our blunders-oh, in shame Before the eyes of heaven we fall. "Earth bears no balsam for mistakes; Men crown the knave, and scourge the tool That did his will; but Thou, O Lord, Be merciful to me, a fool!" The room was hushed; in silence rose Edward Rowland Sill (1841-1887] THE ECLIPSE WHITHER, O whither didst Thou fly? But O Thy grief, Thy grief, doth kill! Henry Vaughan [1622–1695] COMFORT SPEAK low to me, my Saviour, low and sweet St. Agnes' Eve 3517 ST. AGNES' EVE DEEP on the convent-roof the snows My breath to heaven like vapor goes: The shadows of the convent-towers Still creeping with the creeping hours Make Thou my spirit pure and clear Or this first snowdrop of the That in my bosom lies. year As these white robes are soiled and dark, To yonder shining ground; As this pale taper's earthly spark, To yonder argent round; So shows my soul before the Lamb, My spirit before Thee; So in mine earthly house I am, To that I hope to be. Break up the heavens, O Lord! and far, Through all yon starlight keen, He lifts me to the golden doors; And deepens on and up! the gates For me the Heavenly Bridegroom waits, One Sabbath deep and wide A light upon the shining sea- Alfred Tennyson [1809-1892] |