IN HEAVEN TO-NIGHT.
269
Listen! for I will question thee,
Wanderer, who hast from heaven come;
And I would have thee answer me,
Of all the hours now dead and dumb;—
Where dwell those birds of paradise,
That soared away on radiant wing,
Ere we could number half their dyes,
Or learn the song they loved to sing?
There dwelt a spirit in those hours,
That could not lose its precious light;—
Do they, like earth's transplanted flowers,
Abide above in heaven to-night?
Wanderer, who hast from heaven come;
And I would have thee answer me,
Of all the hours now dead and dumb;—
Where dwell those birds of paradise,
That soared away on radiant wing,
Ere we could number half their dyes,
Or learn the song they loved to sing?
There dwelt a spirit in those hours,
That could not lose its precious light;—
Do they, like earth's transplanted flowers,
Abide above in heaven to-night?
And tell me if, amidst the throng
That round the Father's presence kneel,
And elevate their souls in song,
As heaven's diviner love they feel,—
If there is one, whose life below
Was little else than wasted hours;
Whose bounds were rifled long ago,
Of healthful fruits and passion-flowers.
Say, if in yon fair world his soul
Hath yet recovered from its blight;
And far beyond earth's dark control,
Exists above in heaven to-night?
That round the Father's presence kneel,
And elevate their souls in song,
As heaven's diviner love they feel,—
If there is one, whose life below
Was little else than wasted hours;
Whose bounds were rifled long ago,
Of healthful fruits and passion-flowers.
Say, if in yon fair world his soul
Hath yet recovered from its blight;
And far beyond earth's dark control,
Exists above in heaven to-night?
And tell me if thou pleadest for me,
That all my sins may be forgiven,
And I, at last, may float with thee,
Amidst the azure depths of heaven?
That all my sins may be forgiven,
And I, at last, may float with thee,
Amidst the azure depths of heaven?
