1ST SEMI-CHORUS.-- As the springs, and the rains, and the rivers Of hills, that replenish the earth, Sink and are lost, yet rise and return To the land of their birth; And freshen with streams and showers All herbs and flowers Which yearn: 2ND SEMI-CHORUS.-- So thou, O fairest of givers, Life-bringer, light-bearer to men, With hands most tender to save, And face by the terrors of death Unappalled, and by love made brave, 1ST SEMI-CHORUS.-- And with lips for the spending of breath More quick than the lips of a runner Whose feet are set to the goal: (_Enter_ NURSE _bearing wedding raiment_.) CHORUS.-- So thou, our dearest and best, Art risen again from the grave; And the land at thy coming is blest. 2ND SEMI-CHORUS.-- And for thee, befriended of fate, My grief and sorrow were vain; So with joy in my heart I wait, Till eyes behold thee again. CHORUS LEADER.-- Nurse of our mistress, wherefore dost thou stand Silent before us, holding in thy hand The wedding raiment? Dost thou not hail the day? (_The_ NURSE _lets fall the raiment_.) Oh! What means this? NURSE.-- That having naught to say Of good, I would be mute! LEADER.-- From what black bough of evil falls that fruit Of speech so darkly uttered? NURSE.-- Peace, let be! The Gods drive home their gift. Soon shall ye see Our mistress come forth to your midst again. LEADER.-- Redeemed from death? NURSE.-- Yea, for she lies not slain. LEADER.-- Thy words sound strange!--But living, thou hast said? NURSE.-- Aye, surely living, since she is not dead. LEADER.-- Speak, mother: hast thou aught to tell of woe? NURSE.-- Ye women, I speak only as I know. She that was dead now lives: gracious of form, Gentle of face is she; her hands are warm To my hands holding them; she feels no pain; Death on her beauty has not left a stain; But pure, but perfect, as on the day she died, So have I found her,--lovely as when a bride First came she to this chamber of our lord. LEADER.-- All that thou sayest is good! NURSE.-- I speak no word, Women, but as I know. Ah! God, these eyes Which knew her as a child!--They that be wise, Dying, let them stay dead! (_Exit_ NURSE.) LEADER.-- O Women, all ye that have heard, What comfort find ye in this word---- ‘Let the dying stay dead’? CHORUS.-- Earth is old, Time is long, And the days that we live are few. Many arise, and are born, They mount and wax strong, Stand thick together like corn; But to them death cometh anew. They are reaped, and are borne to the grave: Men know them no more.