HALLOWED GROUND. WHAT'S hallow'd ground? Has earth a clod By man, the image of his God Unscourged by Superstition's rod To bow the knee? That's hallow'd ground-where, mourn'd and miss'd, The lips repose our love has kiss'd: But where's their memory's mansion? Is 't Yon churchyard's bowers? No! in ourselves their souls exist, A part of ours. A kiss can consecrate the ground Where mated hearts are mutual bound: The spot where love's first links were wound, That ne'er are riven, Is hallow'd down to earth's profound, And up to Heaven! For time makes all but true love old; The burning thoughts that then were told And will not cool, Until the heart itself be cold In Lethe's pool. What hallows ground where heroes sleep? Or Genii twine beneath the deep But strew his ashes to the wind Whose sword or voice has served mankind- To live in hearts we leave behind, Is 't death to fall for Freedom's right? What can alone ennoble fight? A noble cause! Give that! and welcome War to brace Her drums! and rend Heaven's reeking space! The colours planted face to face, The charging cheer, Though Death's pale horse lead on the chase, Shall still be dear. And place our trophies where men kneel Transfer it from the sword's appeal Peace, Love! the cherubim, that join The heart alone can make divine To incantations dost thou trust, That men can bless one pile of dust The ticking wood-worm mocks thee, man! Thy temples-creeds themselves grow wan! But there's a dome of nobler span, A temple given Thy faith, that bigots dare not ban- Its roof star-pictured Nature's ceiling, Make music, though unheard their pealing Fair stars! are not your beings pure? Ye must be Heavens that make us sure And in your harmony sublime I read the doom of distant time: Shall yet be drawn, And reason on his mortal clime Immortal dawn. What's hallow'd ground? 'Tis what gives birth And your high priesthood shall make earth SONG. WITHDRAW not yet those lips and fingers, And death seems in the word-Farewell. Time, whilst I gaze upon thy sweetness, |