To the Queen
The Door of Death is made of gold, That mortal eyes cannot behold; But when the mortal eyes are clos'd, And cold and pale the limbs repos'd, The soul awakes; and, wond'ring, sees In her mild hand the golden Keys: The Grave is Heaven's Golden Gate, And rich and poor around it wait; O Shepherdess of England's fold, Behold this Gate of Pearl and Gold! To dedicate to England's Queen The visions that my soul has seen, And, by her kind permission, bring What I have borne on solemn wing, From the vast regions of the Grave, Before her throne my wings I wave; Bowing before my Sov'reign's feet, `The Grave produc'd these blossoms sweet In mild repose from earthly strife; The blossoms of Eternal Life!' |