Page:Tales and Historic Scenes.pdf/18

14

In mingled fragments—glittering to the light Of yon still moon, whose rays, yet softly bright, Their streaming lustre tremulously shed, And smile, in placid beauty, o'er the dead: O'er features, where the fiery spirit's trace, E'en death itself is powerless to efface, O'er those, who flush'd with ardent youth, awoke, When glowing morn in bloom and radiance broke, Nor dreamt how near the dark and frozen sleep, Which hears not Glory call, nor Anguish weep. In the low silent house, the narrow spot, Home of forgetfulness—and soon forgot.

But slowly fade the stars—the night is o'er— Morn beams on those who hail her light no more; Slumberers who ne'er shall wake on earth again, Mourners, who call the loved, the lost, in vain. Yet smiles the day—oh! not for mortal tear Doth nature deviate from her calm career, Nor is the earth less laughing or less fair, Though breaking hearts her gladness may not share. O'er the cold urn the beam of summer glows, O'er fields of blood the zephyr freshly blows; Bright shines the sun, though all be dark below, And skies arch cloudless o'er a world of woe,