Sinking beneath the waves. So perish the old Gods! Over its meadows green Walk the young bards and sing. THE SINGERS. 339 SONNET. ON MRS. KEMBLE'S READINGS FROM SHAKSPEARE O PRECIOUS evenings! all too swiftly sped! Of all the best thoughts of the greatest sages, O happy Reader! having for thy text The magic book, whose Sibylline leaves have caught The rarest essence of all human thought! O happy Poet! by no critic vext! How must thy listening spirit now rejoice THE SINGERS. GOD sent his Singers upon earth The first, a youth, with soul of fire, Through groves he wandered, and by streams, The second, with a bearded face, A gray, old man, the third and last, And those who heard the Singers three But the great Master said, "I see To charm, to strengthen, and to teach. "These are the three great chords of might, And he whose ear is tuned aright Will hear no discord in the three, SUSPIRIA. TAKE them, O Death! and bear away Take them, O Grave! and let them lie Take them, O great Eternity! And trails its blossoms in the dust. HYMN. 341 HYMN FOR MY BROTHER'S ORDINATION. CHRIST to the young man said: "Yet one thing more; If thou wouldst perfect be, Sell all thou hast and give it to the poor, Within this temple Christ again, unseen, And evermore beside him on his way Beside him at the marriage feast shall be, O holy trust! O endless sense of rest! To lay his head upon the Saviour's breast, |