Dies Fræ.

I.

DAY of wrath! that day dismaying,

As the seers of old are saying,

All the world in ashes laying.

II.

What the fear! and what the quaking! When the Judge His way is taking, Strictest search in all things making.

III.

When the trump, with blast astounding, Through the tombs of earth resounding, Bids all stand, the throne surrounding!

IV.

Death and Nature all aghast are,— While the dead rise fast and faster, Answering to their Judge and Master!

Forth is brought the record solemn;

See o'erwrit in each dread column,
With men's deeds, the Doomsday volume.

VI.

Now the Sov'reign Judge is seated;
All long hid, is loud repeated;
Naught escapes the judgment meted.

VII.

Ah! what plea shall I be pleading?
Who for me be interceding

When the just man help is needing?

VIII.

O thou King of awful splendor;
Of salvation free, the Sender,
Grace to me, All-gracious, render!

IX.

Jesus, Lord, my plea let this be,

Mine the woe, that brought from bliss Thee;

On that day, Lord, wilt Thou miss me?

X.

Wearily for me Thou soughtest;
On the cross my soul Thou boughtest;
Lose not all for which Thou wroughtest!

XI.

Vengeance, Lord, then be thy mission!
Now of sin grant free remission
Ere that day of inquisition.

XII.

Low in shame before Thee groaning,
Blushes deep my sin are owning;
Hear, O Lord, my suppliant moaning!

ΧΙΠ.

Her of old that sinned forgiving,

And the dying thief receiving,
Thou, to me too, hope art giving.

XIV.

In my prayer, though sin discerning,
Yet, good Lord, in goodness turning,
Save me from the endless burning!

DIES IRE.

XV.

'Mid Thy sheep be my place given; Far the goats from me be driven; At Thy right hand fix'd in heaven.

XVI.

When the cursed are confounded,
With devouring flame surrounded,
With the blest be my name sounded.

XVII.

Bowed and prostrate hear me crying;
Heart in dust before thee lying;
Lord, my end, O be thou nigh in!

XVIII.

Ah, that day! that day of weeping!
When in dust no longer sleeping,
Man to God in guilt is going,

Lord, be then thy mercy showing!

235

A Vision of Immortality.

BEING A SEQUEL TO "THANATOPSIS," AND THE "HYMN TO DEATH."

I WHO essayed to sing in earlier days
The Thanatopsis and the Hymn to Death,
Wake now the Hymn to Immortality.

Yet once again, O man, come forth and view
The haunts of Nature-walk the waving fields,
Enter the silent groves, or pierce again
The depths of the untrodden wilderness,
And she shall teach thee.

Thou hast learn'd before

One lesson-and her Hymn of Death hath fallen
With melancholy sweetness on thine ear:
Yet she shall tell thee with her myriad tongues
That life is there-life in uncounted forms,
Stealing in silence through the hidden roots,
In every branch that swings-in the green leaves
And waving grain, and the gay summer flowers
That gladden the beholder.