Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79.
Stanzas Written in the Churchyard of Richmond, Yorkshire
By Herbert Knowles (1798–1817)M
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.