I see around me tombstones grey br Stretching their shadows far away. br Beneath the turf my footsteps tread br Lie low and lone the silent dead - br Beneath the turf - beneath the mould - br Forever dark, forever cold - br And my eyes cannot hold the tears br That memory hoards from vanished years br For Time and Death and Mortal pain br Give wounds that will not heal again - br Let me remember half the woe br I've seen and heard and felt below, br And Heaven itself - so pure and blest, br Could never give my spirit rest - br Sweet land of light! thy children fair br Know nought akin to our despair - br Nor have they felt, nor can they tell br What tenants haunt each mortal cell, br What gloomy guests we hold within - br Torments and madness, tears and sin! br Well - may they live in ectasy br Their long eternity of joy; br At least we would not bring them down br With us to weep, with us to groan, br No - Earth would wish no other sphere br To taste her cup of sufferings drear; br She turns from Heaven with a careless eye br And only mourns that we must die! br Ah mother, what shall comfort thee br In all this boundless misery? br To cheer our eager eyes a while br We see thee smile; how fondly smile! br But who reads not through that tender glow br Thy deep, unutterable woe: br Indeed no dazzling land above br Can cheat thee of thy children's love. br We all, in life's departing shine, br Our last dear longings blend with thine; br And struggle still and strive to trace br With clouded gaze, thy darling face. br We would not leave our native home br For any world beyond the Tomb.