Page:The poetical works of Thomas Campbell.djvu/125

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I saw a vision in my sleep,That gave my spirit strength to sweepAdown the gulf of Time!I saw the last of human mould,That shall Creation's death behold,As Adam saw her prime!
The Sun's eye had a sickly glare,The Earth with age was wan,The skeletons of nations wereAround that lonely man!Some had expired in fight,—the brandsStill rusted in their bony hands;In plague and famine some!Earth's cities had no sound nor tread;And ships were drifting with the deadTo shores where all was dumb!
Yet, prophet-like, that lone one stood,With dauntless words and high,That shook the sere leaves from the woodAs if a storm passed by,Saying, We are twins in death, proud Sun,Thy face is cold, thy race is run.'Tis Mercy bids thee go.For thou ten thousand thousand yearsHast seen the tide of human tears,That shall no longer flow.
What though beneath thee man put forthHis pomp, his pride, his skill;And arts that made fire, flood and earth.The vassals of his will;—
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