JULY XXIV.
Come back! come back! forsake thy rest,
And tread the darkened paths of men!
Bring gladness to the lonely breast,
Peace to the troubled dreams again.
And tread the darkened paths of men!
Bring gladness to the lonely breast,
Peace to the troubled dreams again.
Nor yet without a ransom, Death,
I plead to loose thy dread embrace!
I offer thee but breath for breath,
Give this one life to fill my place.
I plead to loose thy dread embrace!
I offer thee but breath for breath,
Give this one life to fill my place.
For thee, lost sleeper, tears are shed
That fall not for the slave set free;
Thou, mourned as those too early dead;
I, mourning in captivity.
That fall not for the slave set free;
Thou, mourned as those too early dead;
I, mourning in captivity.
For thee the life-rose, blooming, glowed;
I long perceive its naked thorn;
For thee, soft spread the widening road
I see grow narrower every morn.
I long perceive its naked thorn;
For thee, soft spread the widening road
I see grow narrower every morn.
