But if the valiant of this land In reverential modesty demand, That all observance, due to them, be paid Where their serene progenitors are laid; 60 Kings, warriors, high-souled poets, saint-like sages, England's illustrious sons of long, long ages; Be it not unordained that solemn rites, Within the circuit of those Gothic walls,[BF] Shall be performed at pregnant intervals; 65 Commemoration holy that unites The living generations with the dead; By the deep soul-moving sense Of religious eloquence,-- By visual pomp, and by the tie 70 Of sweet and threatening harmony; Soft notes, awful as the omen Of destructive tempests coming, And escaping from that sadness Into elevated gladness; 75 While the white-rob'd choir attendant, Under mouldering banners pendant, Provoke all potent symphonies to raise Songs of victory and praise, For them who bravely stood unhurt, or bled 80 With medicable wounds, or found their graves Upon the battle field, or under ocean's waves; Or were conducted home in single state, And long procession--there to lie, Where their sons' sons, and all posterity, 85 Unheard by them, their deeds shall celebrate! IV Nor will the God of peace and love Such martial service disapprove. He guides the Pestilence--the cloud Of locusts travels on his breath; 90 The region that in hope was ploughed His drought consumes, his mildew taints with death; He springs the hushed Volcano's mine, He puts the Earthquake on her still design,[BG] Darkens the sun, hath bade the forest sink, 95 And, drinking towns and cities, still can drink Cities and towns--'tis Thou--the work is Thine!-- The fierce Tornado sleeps within thy courts-- He hears the word--he flies-- And navies perish in their ports; 100 For Thou art angry with thine enemies! For these, and mourning for our errors,[122] And sins, that point their terrors, We bow our heads before Thee, and we laud And magnify thy name, Almighty God! 105 But Man is thy most awful instrument, In working out a pure intent;[123] Thou cloth'st the wicked in their dazzling mail, And for thy righteous purpose[124] they prevail; Thine arm from peril guards the coasts 110 Of them who in thy laws delight: Thy presence turns the scale of doubtful fight, Tremendous God of battles, Lord of Hosts![BH] V