HEAVEN'S GLORIES. Cardinal Damiani. 1003-1072. IN the Fount of life perennial, the parchéd heart its thirst. would slake, And the soul, in flesh imprison'd, longs its prison walls to break Exile, seeking, sighing, yearning, in her Fatherland to wake. When with cares oppress'd and sorrows, only groans her grief can tell, Then she contemplates the glory which she lost, when first she fell ; Present evil but the memory of the vanish'd good can swell. Who can utter what the pleasures and the peace unbroken are, Where arise the pearly mansions, shedding silvery light afar? Festive seats and golden roofs, which glitter like the evening star! Wholly of fair stones most precious are those radiant structures made; With pure gold, like glass transparent, are those shining streets inlaid : Nothing that defiles can enter, nothing that can soil or fade. |