Nor ashes! Light eternal! Hymns of joy!

No silence now for her, who, ever silent,

{3}

Above misfortunes' storms and thund'ring billows,

Would stand with clear and fearless brow, so calm,

That men drew strength from out those dauntless eyes,

And quiet from that hotly beating heart,

Kept still by stern command and unbent will

Beneath those tight shut lips. Not ashes, where

A beacon e'er will burn, a fire, like

The Altar's Soma, for the strong, the weak,

The true, the brave, and for the quailing. No,

Not ashes, but a light, that o'er the times

Will shed a gentle ray, and show the haven,

When all the world, stormshaken, rudderless, will pray:

If but her century would shine again!

Oh, Lord! Why hast thou ta'en thy peaceful Queen?

{4}

{4}

 A FRIEND

 Prev. P 3/54 next