The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-09-19

Catholic hymns which we do not fnd equalled
in the authors earlier poems, sabine as are
their conceptions. But it is remarkable that
the poem W hch unites both these qualities in
the highest measure, is that which was com-
posed last, "The Dream of Gerontius." Like
the others, it seems to have been written
for the author alone, and to have been pub.
lshed merely act of friendship to the
editor of The Month. Is it too much to hope
that the high sence Of it's exceeding depth aud
beauty which has been shown by the whole
English world may hot only encourage the
author, as he tells us it did, to publish his
collected poems in the volume before us, but
to compose morei- For it is plain that as yet
at least his arms are not dimmed or his force
abated.
1.-THE Dream of Gerontius" begins with the
thoughts of one who feels himself at the gate
of death and the prayers of the assistants by
his bedside. Then Gerontius says:
TSs SaiT 5 bora est and fata would sleep
y Lord into Thy hands Il. :.
And the priest says the commendation. Then
follows:
GERoNTIUs.
II went to sleep; and now am refreshed
A strange rereshment: for 1 feel In
An inexpIessiye ghtness, and
Md ne er had BEEN before 70 How ssi it is
hear no more the busy beat of time,
No, nor my hutteriDg breath, nor struggn pulse,
Nor does one moment differ from the next.
Hes gone; and thsn a Sigh went round the room.
And then surely heard presty voice
seem to hear him still bat thin and low
lie does not yet know whether he is living or
dead. Then he finds himself held
Such as they use SEQ on e eaftb, but but al! around
Over .t the surface tseo OF my subtle , being
To be accosted thus a uniform
Aud gentle pressure tells me l
senmovins; but borne forward on my way.
And ha 81 1as ss1p ns ys, in '00'h
Whether hear, OF touch or taste the tones.
Oh what a heartsnbduing melody
| Then follow the songs of the guardian angel
| over the soul which he was sent to tend. After
a long while Gerontius takes courage and
] says:
will address him N Mighty oaF< my Lord
| My guardian spirit, all hail
| ANGEL.
An hail; my child
| My child ard brother hail what Wou.dest thou !
That .n. had essss6 sbs ,oD
Quilted its mortal case, forthwith it fell
| There to be judged and sent to its own place.
| What let 8 me now from going to my lord
| ANGEL.
Thou art not let; but with EXTREMIST speed
AIT hurrying to the Just and holy Judge:
For scarcely art thou disem bodied yet
| Into its million. ilon millionth part.
Yet even less than that the interval
Cried s SueTeni,e' M and The they fell to prayer,
NOT scarcely YET nave tney ptSun 10 pray.
We must not llnger on the converse between
the soul and it's guardian angel, nor at the
marvellous description of the demons in = the
middle REGION" their impotent rage-impotent
| against one who has traitor within.
Then he comes within the reach of the heaven
ly choirs. We have the hymns of the success
i've choirs. At length, as they approach the
veiled presence" of God. the soul hears again
the voices it left on earth, for in that presence
the voices of prayer are heard:
| Il go before my Judge. Ah
| ANGEL
| Praise to his namel
The eager spirit has darted from my hold
And @ with the & intsmpsrIte ten . energy Of love
But ere it reach them, the keen sanctity
Which with its efuenee, like glory, clothes
And soorch d, and shriveld III and now it lies
Q happy, suffering soul! for it is safe.
Consumed, yet quickened BY the RfAuce of God
Take away, and in the lowest deep
And there in hope the lone night watches keep
There mosiGnlsss ls and happy in my pain,
There will ; sing my my sad sad ' perpetual i strain,
Until the morn.
! Winch ne'er Can cease
To throb. and pine. and lapgulsh, till possest
There will sing my absent Lord and love:
Take me away,
That sooner 1 may ris= and go above
And see Him IN the truth Of everlasting day
Then follow the words of the angel, and those
of the souls in purgatory. AT length the angel
concludes:
ANGELS to whom the willing task is given,
Shall t"nd, and nurse aud lull thee as thou lest
And masses the EARTH and praytls in heaven,
shall aid thee at the throne of the Most Highest
Farewell but not forever brother dear.
Be brave and patient thy bed of sorrowi
Swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here,
And will co aIe aud wake thee on the morrow
Any one who has read this wonderful poem
will complain that we have omitted this, and
this, and this, which especially deserved to be
quoted. 1t is most true. 1t would be impos-
sibIe to give any idea Of its matchiess weight
and beauty, except by trauscIibng the whole
of it; aud have wished only to give a
sample which may direct to it the attention OF
any reader to whom it may yet be- unknown.
BELLS.