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Home  »  The Book of Restoration Verse  »  Nahum Tate (1652–1715)

William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910.

Song of the Priestesses

Nahum Tate (1652–1715)

At the Tomb of Argaces

SLEEP, ye great Manes of the dead!

Whilst our solemn round we tread;

Whilst at our cell, as at a shrine,

We nightly wait with rites divine.

Whilst, to adorn the tomb, we bring

The earliest glories of the Spring;

And sweetest softest anthems sing.

The floor, with hallowed drops bedewing;

And all around fresh roses strewing.

Ye Guardian Powers, that here resort,

For ever make this cell your Court.

If devoutest prayers invite ye,

Or Sabæan gums delight ye;

Then make this sacred Urn your care,

And nightly to this cell repair,

To feast on frankincense and prayer.

Around we go, the floor bedewing;

Violets, pinks, and roses strewing.