A Dream in Westminster Abbey. 
THE ILLUMINATED CITY, 
(, Tue hills, all glowed with a festive light, 
| For-the royal city.rejoiced by night ; 
«(There were lamps hung forth upon tower and tree— 
| Banners were lifted and streaming free; 
Every: tallypillar was wreathed with fire— 
Like a shooting meteor was every spire ; 
= And the outline of many a dome on high 
Was traced, as in stars, on the clear dark sky. 
I passed through the streets; there were throngs on throngs— 
Like sounds of the deep were their mingled songs; 
There was music forth from each palace borne— 
A peal of the cymbal, the harp, and horn ; 
The forests heard it, the mountains rang, 
The hamlets woke to its haughty clang; 
Rich and victorious was every tone, 
Telling the land of her foes o’erthrown. 
Didst thou meet not a mourner for all the slain? 
Thousands lie dead on their battle-plain ! 
Gallant and true were the hearts that fell— 
. Grief in the homes they have left must dwell ; 
Grief o’er the features of childhood spread, 
And bowing the beauty of woman’s head : 
Didst thou hear, ’midst the songs, not one tender moan, 
For the many brave to their slumber gone ? 
T saw not the face of a weeper there— 
Too strong, perchance, was the bright lamp’s glare ! 
I heard not a wail ’midst the joyous crowd— 
The music of victory was all too loud ! 
Mighty it rolled on the winds afar, 
Shaking the streets like a conqueror’s car ; 
Through torches and streams its floods swept by— 
How could { listen for moan or sigh ? 
Turn then away from life’s pageants! turn, 
If its deep story thy heart would learn: 
Ever too bright is that outward shew, 
Dazzling the eyes till they see not woe! 
| But lift the proud mantle which hides from thy view 
‘The things thou shouldst gaze on, the sad and true; 
‘Nor fear to survey what its folds conceal : 
‘So must thy spirit be taught to feel ! 
FSH: 
3U2 
old 
