Ode,SacredToTheMemoryOfMrs.OswaldOfAuchencruive

ode,sacredtothememoryofmrs.oswaldofauchencruive

dwellerinyondungeondark,

hangmanofcreation!mark,

whoinwidow-weedsappears,

ladenwithunhonour'dyears,

noosingwithcareaburstingpurse,

baitedwithmanyadeadlycurse?

strophe

viewthewither'dbeldam'sface;

canthykeeninspectiontrace

aughtofhumanity'ssweet,meltinggrace?

notethateye,'tisrheumo'erflows;

pity'sfloodthereneverrose,

seethesehandsne'erstretchedtosave,

handsthattook,butnevergave:

keeperofmammon'sironchest,

lo,thereshegoes,unpitiedandunblest,

shegoes,butnottorealmsofeverlastingrest!

antistrophe

plundererofarmies!liftthineeyes,

(awhileforbear,yetorturingfiends;)

seestthouwhosestep,unwilling,hitherbends?

nofallenangel,hurl'dfromupperskies;

'tisthytrustyquondammate,

doom'dtosharethyfieryfate;

she,tardy,hell-wardplies.

epode

andaretheyofnomoreavail,

tenthousandglitteringpoundsa-year?

inotherworldscanmammonfail,

omnipotentasheishere!

o,bittermockeryofthepompousbier,

whiledownthewretchedvitalpartisdriven!

thecave-lodgedar,withaconscienceclear,

expiresinrags,unknown,andgoestoheaven.