| |
| METHINKS it is good to be here; | |
| If thou wilt, let us build,—but for whom? | |
| Nor Elias nor Moses appear; | |
| But the shadows of eve that encompass with gloom | |
| The abode of the dead and the place of the tomb. | 5 |
| |
| Shall we build to Ambition? Ah, no! | |
| Affrighted, he shrinketh away,— | |
| For see, they would pin him below | |
| In a dark narrow cave, and, begirt with cold clay, | |
| To the meanest of reptiles a fear and a prey. | 10 |
| |
| To Beauty? Ah, no! she forgets | |
| The charms which she wielded before, | |
| Nor knows the foul worm that he frets | |
| The skin that but yesterday fools could adore, | |
| For the smoothness it held or the tint which it wore. | 15 |
| |
| Shall we build to the purple of Pride, | |
| The trappings which dizen the proud? | |
| Alas! they are all laid aside, | |
| And here ’s neither dress nor adornment allowed, | |
| Save the long winding-sheet and the fringe of the shroud. | 20 |
| |
| To Riches? Alas, ’t is in vain: | |
| Who hide in their turns have been hid; | |
| The treasures are squandered again; | |
| And here in the grave are all metals forbid, | |
| Save the tinsel that shines on the dark coffin-lid. | 25 |
| |
| To the pleasures which Mirth can afford, | |
| The revel, the laugh, and the jeer? | |
| Ah! here is a plentiful board! | |
| But the guests are all mute at their pitiful cheer, | |
| And none but the worm is a reveller here. | 30 |
| |
| Shall we build to Affection and Love? | |
| Ah, no! They have withered and died, | |
| Or fled with the spirit above: | |
| Friends, brothers, and sisters are laid side by side, | |
| Yet none have saluted, and none have replied. | 35 |
| |
| Unto Sorrow? The dead cannot grieve; | |
| Not a sob, not a sigh, meets mine ear, | |
| Which compassion itself could relieve. | |
| Ah, sweetly they slumber, nor love, hope, or fear; | |
| Peace, peace! is the watchword,—the only one here. | 40 |
| |
| Unto Death, to whom monarchs must bow? | |
| Ah, no! for his empire is known, | |
| And here there are trophies enow! | |
| Beneath the cold head and around the dark stone | |
| Are the signs of a sceptre that none may disown. | 45 |
| |
| The first tabernacle to Hope we will build, | |
| And look for the sleepers around us to rise! | |
| The second to Faith, which insures it fulfilled; | |
| And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, | |
| Who bequeathed us them both when he rose to the skies. | 50 |
| |
