A Dirge

A Dirge

'EARTH to earth, and dust to dust!'
Here the evil and the just,
Here the youthful and the old,
Here the fearful and the bold;
Here the matron and the maid
In one silent bed are laid;
Here the vassal and the king
Side by side lie withering;
Here the sword and sceptre rust -
'Earth to earth, and dust to dust.'

Age on age shall roll along
O'er this pale and mighty throng;
Those that wept them, those that weep,
All shall with these sleepers sleep.
Brothers, sisters of the worm,
Summer's sun or winter's storm,
Song of peace and battle roar,
Ne'er shall break their slumbers more,
Death shall keep his sullen trust -
'Earth to earth, and dust to dust!'

But a day is coming fast,
Earth, thy mightiest and thy last!
It shall come in fear and wonder;
Heralded by trump and thunder;
It shall come in strife and toil,
It shall come in blood and spoil,
It shall come in empire's groans,
Burning temples, trampled thrones;
Then, ambition, rue thy lust! -
'Earth to earth, and dust to dust!'

Then shall come the judgment sign,
In the east the King shall shine;
Flashing from Heaven's golden gate,
Thousands thousands round his state;
Spirits with the crown and plume,
Tremble, then, thou sullen tomb!
Heaven shall open on our sight,
Earth be turned to living light,
Kingdom of the ransom'd just -
'Earth to earth, and dust to dust!'

Then thy mount, Jerusalem,
Shall be like a gorgeous gem;
Then shall in the deserts rise
Fruits of more than Paradise;
Earth by angel feet be trod,
One great garden of her god!
Till are dried the martyr's tears
Through a thousand glorious years!
Now, in hope of Him we trust -
'Earth to earth, and dust to dust!'

Rev. G. Croly

1:46, p. 184

1828.02.08

From the London "Forget Me Not," for 1827