In Memoriam 30: With trembling fingers did we weave

5At our old pastimes in the hall

6We gambol'd, making vain pretence

7Of gladness, with an awful sense

8Of one mute Shadow watching all.

9We paused: the winds were in the beech:

10We heard them sweep the winter land;

11And in a circle hand-in-hand

12Sat silent, looking each at each.

13Then echo-like our voices rang;

14We sung, tho' every eye was dim,

15A merry song we sang with him

16Last year: impetuously we sang:

17We ceased: a gentler feeling crept

18Upon us: surely rest is meet:

19'They rest,' we said, 'their sleep is sweet,'

20And silence follow'd, and we wept.

21Our voices took a higher range;

22Once more we sang: 'They do not die

23Nor lose their mortal sympathy,

24Nor change to us, although they change;

25Rapt from the fickle and the frail

26With gather'd power, yet the same,

27Pierces the keen seraphic flame

28From orb to orb, from veil to veil.

29Rise, happy morn, rise holy morn,

30Draw forth the cheerful day from night:

31O Father! touch the east, and light

32The light that shone when Hope was born.'