65. TWO VIEWS OF DEATH.O death, how dreadful is thy certain doom,The beautiful all hidden from my eyeIn the dark pit, where their stiff bodies lie!And must I join them in the loathsome tomb?Yet sure the spring-flow'r does not fail to bloom,When wintry frosts give way to genial sky.For body's happy change we need not sigh;Nor for the spirit's flight from all earth's gloom.Then, Death, thy presence brings me no affright,But wakes my loud, exulting voice through grace,A shout of glorious victor in the fight,Or of the winner in the struggling race.Death is quick transfer of the soul to heaven,A boon to all Christ's friends in mercy given.
65. TWO VIEWS OF DEATH.
O death, how dreadful is thy certain doom,The beautiful all hidden from my eyeIn the dark pit, where their stiff bodies lie!And must I join them in the loathsome tomb?Yet sure the spring-flow'r does not fail to bloom,When wintry frosts give way to genial sky.For body's happy change we need not sigh;Nor for the spirit's flight from all earth's gloom.Then, Death, thy presence brings me no affright,But wakes my loud, exulting voice through grace,A shout of glorious victor in the fight,Or of the winner in the struggling race.Death is quick transfer of the soul to heaven,A boon to all Christ's friends in mercy given.
O death, how dreadful is thy certain doom,
The beautiful all hidden from my eye
In the dark pit, where their stiff bodies lie!
And must I join them in the loathsome tomb?
Yet sure the spring-flow'r does not fail to bloom,
When wintry frosts give way to genial sky.
For body's happy change we need not sigh;
Nor for the spirit's flight from all earth's gloom.
Then, Death, thy presence brings me no affright,
But wakes my loud, exulting voice through grace,
A shout of glorious victor in the fight,
Or of the winner in the struggling race.
Death is quick transfer of the soul to heaven,
A boon to all Christ's friends in mercy given.