THRONGS OF LONDON. 209
palace to the hovel, in every variety of array, from the inmate of the royal equipage to the poor street-sweeper. Some glittering on the height of wealth and power, others sinking in the depths of poverty and misery. Yet to every heart is dealt its modicum of hope, every lip hath a taste of the bitter bread of disappointment. Death, ever taking aim among them, replenishes his receptacles night and day, while in thousands of cur tained chambers, how many%rms and bosoms earnestly foster the new-born life, that he may have fresh tro phies. For earth and the things of earth, for fancies and forms of happiness, all are scheming, and striving, and struggling, from the little rill, working its way under ground in darkness and silence, to the great crested wave, that, with a thunder-sound, breaks on the shore of eternity.
Unclasp the world s close armor from thy heart, Dismiss the gay companion from thy side,
And, if thou canst, elude the practised art And dull recitative of venal guide ; So shalt thou come aright, with reverent tread, Unto this solemn city of the dead, Nor uninstructed mid its haunts abide : But o er the dust of heroes moralize, And learn that humbling lore, which makes the spirit wise.
How silent are ye all, ye sons of song,
Whose harps the music of the earth did make ! 14
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