Classic Poem

Earth to earth, and dust to dust!
Here the evil and the just,
Here the youthful and the old,
Here the fearful and the bold,
Here the matron and the maid,
In one silent bed are laid;
Here the vassal and the king
Side by side lie withering;
Here the sword and sceptre rust:
“Earth to earth, and dust to dust!”

Age on age shall roll along,
O'er this pale and mighty throng;
Those that wept them, those that weep,
All shall with these sleepers sleep;
Brothers, sisters of the worm,
Summer's sun, or winter's storm,
Song of peace, or battle's roar,
Ne'er shall break their slumbers more;
Death shall keep his silent trust:
“Earth to earth, and dust to dust!”

But a day is coming fast,
Earth, thy mightiest and thy last;
It shall come in fear and wonder,
Heralded by trump and thunder;
It shall come in strife and spoil;
It shall come in blood and toil;
It shall come in empire's groans,
Burning temples, trampled thrones;
Then, ambition, rule thy lust:
“Earth to earth, and dust to dust!”

Then shall come the judgment sign;—
In the east, the King shall shine,
Flashing from heaven's golden gate,
Thousands, thousands round his state,
Spirits with the crown and plume.
Tremble, then, thou sullen tomb;
Heaven shall open on our sight,
Earth be turned to living light,
Kingdoms of the ransomed just:
“Earth to earth, and dust to dust!”

Then thy Mount, Jerusalem,
Shall be gorgeous as a gem;
Then, shall in the desert rise
Fruits of more than Paradise;
Earth by angel feet be trod,
One great garden of her God;—
Till are dried the martyrs' tears,
Through a thousand glorious years.
Now in hope of him we trust:
“Earth to earth, and dust to dust!”