CXXXVI. DARKNESS shrouded Calvary, An earthquake rent the Temple's veil; Human grief and human fear Uttered mournful wail: There came a voice like light athwart the skies, "To-day thou'lt be with me in Paradise." Darkness shrouds humanity, When death doth sunder heart from heart: Human love and human hope Cannot bear to part: Again that voice is heard athwart the skies, 66 'To-day thou'lt be with me in Paradise.” JEWS were wrought to cruel madness; Christians fled in fear and sadness; Mary stood the cross beside: At its foot her foot she planted, Poets oft have sung her story, Painters decked her brow with glory, Priests her name have deified: But no worship, song, or glory, And when, under fierce oppression, Goodness suffers, like transgression, Christ again is crucified : But if love be there, true-hearted, Mary stands the cross beside. FAIR lilies of Jerusalem, Ye wear the same array, By sacred Jordan's desert tide As when your simple charms outvied Ye flourished when the captive band, In hostile lands to weep and dream Ye have survived Judea's throne, But, lilies of Jerusalem, Through every change ye shine; Your golden urns unfading gem The fields of Palestine! SPRING, summer, autumn, winter, Come duly, as of old; Winds blow, suns set, and morning saith, "Ye hills, put on your gold." The song of Homer liveth, Thy splendid name, Pythagoras, But Babylon and Memphis Are letters traced in dust: Read them, earth's tyrants! ponder well The might in which ye trust! They rose, while all the depths of guilt Truth, mercy, knowledge, justice, They build their temples in the soul, And work with God's right hand. CXL. SWEET day! so cool, so calm, so bright, Bridal of earth and sky; The dew shall weep thy fall to-night, For thou must die! Sweet rose! in air whose odours wave, And colour charms the eye; Thy root is ever in its grave, Sweet spring! of days and roses made, Thy days depart, thy roses fade, Only a sweet and holy soul While flowers decay, and seasons roll, |