Yet bleeding and bound, though her Wallace wight The bugle ne'er sung to a braver knight But the day of his glory shall never depart, His head unentomb'd shall with glory be balm'd, From its blood-streaming altar his spirit shall start: Though the raven has fed on his mouldering heart, A nobler was never embalm'd! HALLOWED GROUND. WHAT'S hallow'd ground? Has earth a clod By man, the image of his God, Erect and free, Unscourged by Superstition's rod To bow the knee? That's hallow'd ground-where, mourn'd and miss'd, 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: 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? Give that! and welcome War to brace The charging cheer, Though Death's pale horse lead on, the chase And place our trophies where men kneel Oh God above! Transfer it from the sword's appeal Peace, Love! the cherubim, that join The heart alone can make divine Religion's spot. To incantations dost thou trust, That man can bless one pile of dust The ticking wood-worm mocks thee, man! 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; That man's regenerate soul from crime Shall yet be drawn, And reason on his mortal clime Immortal dawn. What's hallow'd ground? 'Tis what gives birth To sacred thoughts in souls of worth! Peace! Independence! Truth! go forth Earth's compass'd round; And your high-priesthood shall make earth THE END. |