"FROM the common burial-ground Mark'd by some peculiar bound, Beppo! who are these that lie Like one numerous family?" "They whose bodies rest within This appointed place, Signor! never knew of sin, Only knew of grace. Purified from earthly leaven, They have mounted straight to heaven, Without sorrow, without thrall, Blessed children, angels all!" "But that second space, with art Fenc'd from all the rest apart, Though from those sweet infants' bed By a low wall separated -- Beppo! who are these, and why To the others laid so nigh?" "Signor! they who moulder here, Be it wrong or right, Shake with many a pang of fear Passers-by at night: Men of passion, vice, and pride, Who in evil liv'd and died, Unrepentant, unconfess'd, By the sacraments unbless'd; Though with these are mingled some That deserv'd a better doom, When by sudden death waylaid, Ere their peace with God was made: But why they who guiltless die By those reprobates should lie, Signor! the priest may know, not I." In these words the truth discerning, Much I ponder'd, home returning, Whether chance or wise design Drew this thin dividing line, Almost blending in this close Old decay and young repose; Almost laying side by side Those who hardly liv'd and died, And the wretched ones for whom Life has been a very tomb. Oh! if in our utmost need Love has power to intercede -- If between us and our foes Innocence may interpose -- May not they, who dare not claim Pardon in the church's name, By some sweet and secret law From these little neighbours draw Blessings such as nature gave To the angel-ruffled wave; Finding a Bethesda's worth In this angel-planted earth? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JUST & UNJUST by CHARLES SYNGE CHRISTOPHER BOWEN THE HOUSE OF HOSPITALITIES by THOMAS HARDY THE COURTSHIP OF THE YONGHY-BONGHY-BO by EDWARD LEAR PSALM OF THOSE WHO GO FORTH BEFORE DAYLIGHT by CARL SANDBURG SONNET: 106 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE IDYLLS OF THE KING: GARETH AND LYNETTE by ALFRED TENNYSON |