Pipe the Sweet Birds in gorant cadence—
Ah, what sagacity perished here!
Version of 1862
*****
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers—
Untouched by Morning
And untouched by Noon—
Lie the meek members of the Resurrection—
Rafter of Satin—and Roof of Stone!
Grand go the Years—in the Crescent—above them—
Worlds scoop their Arcs—
And Firmaments—row—
Diadems—drop—and Doges—surrender—
Soundless as dots—on a Disc of Snow—
The rise and fall of royalty and powerful clergy (diadems and Doges)–and by extension, the coming and going of historical eras–pales in comparison to the long timescale of death.
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers 216