"The scenes of tenderness and holy love, There stand and never end, but onward move, And fill the galleries of Heaven with joy, And ever spirit artist hands employ. The holiest deeds are carved in purest gold, Or richest gems, and there are stored of old; Within the inner court a fountain stood, Of purest diamond moulded, whence there flowed Into a golden chalice,--trickling cool, The nectar of the gods,--a sparkling pool, That murmuring sank beneath an emerald vase That rested underneath;--the fountain's base. "We entered then an arcade arching long Through saph'rine galleries, and heard the song That swelling came from temples hyaline; And passed through lazite courts and halls divine, While dazzling glories brighter round us shone. How sweet then came the strains! with grander tone! And, oh, my King! I reached the gates of pearl That stood ajar, and heard the joyous whirl That thrilled the sounding domes and lofty halls, And echoed from the shining jasper walls. I stood within the gate, and, oh, my friend, Before that holy sight I prone did bend, And hid my face upon the jacinth stairs. A shining god raised me, and bade my fears Be flown, and I beheld the glorious throne Of crystaled light; with rays by man unknown. The awful god there sat with brows sublime, With robes of woven gold, and diadem That beamed with blazing splendor o'er his head. I thus beheld the god with presence dread, The King of Kings, the Ancient of the Days, While music rose around with joyous praise. With awful thunders how they all rejoice! And sing aloud with one commingled voice! "What happiness it was to me, my King! From bower to temple I went oft to sing, Or spread my wings above the mount divine, And viewed the fields from heights cerulean. Those songs still linger on dear memory's ear, And tireless rest upon me, ever cheer. But from the Happy Fields, alas! I woke, And from my sight the Heavenly vision broke; But, oh, my King, it all was but a dream! I hope the truth is such, as it did seem; If it is true that such a Heavenly Land Exists with happiness so glorious, grand, Within that haven I would happy be! But it, alas! is now denied to me. For, oh, my King, to Hades I must go, My wings unfold to fly to Realms of Woe; In darkness to that other world unknown, Alas! from joyous earth my life has flown.