To heedful hearts each solemn cadence falling Through twilight's misty veil, An echo seemed of spirit-voices calling With sad, beseeching wail; And thus outspake the mournful intonation: "Plead for us, brethren, plead!" From the drear depths of woe and desolation Our cry of bitter need Floats upward in the swell Of _De Profundis_ bell. Then bowed each knee, the plaintive summons heeding, And rose the blended sigh. As incense-breath of fond, united pleading E'en to the throne on high: "Hear, Lord, the cry of fervent supplication Earth's children lift to Thee; And from the depths of long and dread purgation Thy faithful captives free, Ere dies on earth the swell Of _De Profundis_ bell. "If, in Thy sight, scarce e'en the perfect whiteness Of seraph-robe is pure, Shall mortals brave Thine eye's eternal brightness? Shall man its search endure? Ah! trusting hope may meet the dazzling splendor Of those celestial rays, For with Thee, Lord, is pardon sweet and tender, When contrite sorrow prays. Ay, Thou wilt lead, from desert-waste of sadness, Thine Israel's chosen band; And Miriam's song of pure, triumphant gladness Shall, in Thy promised land, Succeed the dirge-like swell Of _De Profundis_ bell." NOVEMBER. ANNA. T. SADLIER. Robed in mourning, nave and chancel, In the livery of the dead, Hymns funereal are chanted. Services sublime are read. Sounds the solemn _Dies Iræ_, Fraught with echoes from the day When the majesty of Heaven Shall appear in dread array. Next the Gospel's weird recital, Full of mystery and dread; Holding message for the living, Bringing tidings of the dead. With its resurrection promised-- Resurrection unto life, With its full and true fruition, And immunity from strife. Blest immunity from sorrow, Primal man's unhappy dower; While the evil shall find judgment In the resurrection hour. To the Lord, the King of Glory, Goes the voiceless, tuneless prayer, From the deep pit to deliver, From eternal pains to spare. All who wait the holy coming, Wait the dawning of a day That shall ope the gates of darkness, Shall illume the watcher's way. May the holy Michael lead them To the fullness of the light That of old, in prophet visions, Burst on Adam's dazzled sight. May they pass from death to living-- Message that the Master's voice Gave to Abraham the faithful, Bade his exiled soul rejoice. May perpetual light descending Touch their foreheads, dark with fear-- Dark with deadly torments suffered; Sign them with the glory near! May they rest, O Lord, forever In a peace that, unexpressed, Shall bestow upon the pilgrims Dual crowns of light and rest! Death's weird canticle is ringing In its supplication strong-- In its far cry to the heavens, Couched in wild, unearthly song.