Watchman Of The South

For the Watchman of the South.
If a man die, shall he live again?—Job xiv: 14
I stood beside the ever rolling deep.
And heard the night winds o'er its waters sweep:
O sea, said I, shall those, whose forms have lain
Far down in thy dark caverns. live again?—
It answered not; but on with sullen roar.
It wildly dashed along the rock-bound shore.
I stole amidst the cold, damp vaults of death,
And bending low, enquired with anxious breath:
O Grave, shall those, who in thy mansions rest,
Come forth again, in living beauty drest?—
The fitful wind alone came murmuring there
In dirge-like music in my listening ear
I wandered through the silent shades of even
And gazed in wonder on the blooming Heaven:
Ye stars, who erst beheld the birth of man,
Say, can ye tell, if he shall live again?—
In solemn grandeur through the glowings
The stars moved on, and gave back no reply
Then Book of God, I trembling turned to thee,
The Key of Being's fearful mystery,
And read with rapture, oh! the glorious truth
That man is destined to immortal youth—
That soon the day-spring from on high shall dawn,
And usher in a resurrection morn,
When all the countless myriads of our race,
Now slumbering in their lowly resting place
Shall, bursting from their chrysalis of clay
Come forth to live through an eternal day!
M. V. L.