In all places, then, and in all seasons, And with childlike, credulous affection, THE BELEAGURED CITY. I HAVE read, in some old marvellous tale, Beside the Moldau's rushing stream, White as a sea-fog, landward bound, No other voice nor sound was there, But, when the old cathedral-bell Down the broad valley fast and far Up rose the glorious morning star, I have read, in the marvellous heart of man, That an army of phantoms vast and wan Encamped beside Life's rushing stream, Upon its midnight battle-ground No other voice, nor sound is there, And, when the solemn and deep church-bell The midnight phantoms feel the spell, The shadows sweep away. Down the broad Vale of Tears afar The spectral camp is fled; Faith shineth as a morning star, Our ghastly fears are dead. MIDNIGHT MASS FOR THE DYING YEAR. YES, the year is growing old, And his eye is pale and bleared! Death, with frosty hand and cold, The leaves are falling, falling, Caw! caw! the rooks are calling; It is a sound of woe! A sound of woe! Through woods and mountain passes And the hooded clouds, like friars, There he stands in the foul weather, Crowned with wild flowers and with heather, A king, a king! Then comes the summer-like day, Bids the old man rejoice! His joy his last! Oh, the old man gray Gentle and low. To the crimson woods he saith,- Of the soft air, like a daughter's breath, Howl! Howl! and from the forest For there shall come a mightier blast, There shall be a darker day; And the stars, from heaven down cast, Like red leaves be swept away; Kyrie, eleison! Christe, eleison ! 1840. THE GOLDEN LEGEND. PROLOGUE. THE SPIRE OF STRASBURG CATHEDRAL. Night and storm. LUCIFER, with the Powers of the Air, trying to tear down the Cross. LUCIFER. HASTEN! hasten! O ye spirits! From its station drag the ponderous Cross of iron, that to mock us O, we cannot ! For around it VOICES. All the Saints and Guardian Angels THE BELLS. Laudo Deum verum! Plebem voco! Congrego clerum! LUCIFER. Lower lower! Hover downward! |