Spirits on high, or far or near,
Who happen our humble chanting to hear,
Our circle with your presence bless;
Our souls with pious emotions impress.
Come, spirits, come! our sand runs fast;
Death waits for his due, and life may be past.
In mercy teach us truth to know,
And, passing death’s portal, whither we go;
Of your abodes the wonders teach,
And how to deserve that haven to reach.
Come, spirits, come! our sand runs fast;
Death’s portal may yawn, and life may be past.
Say how far in the azure sky
The magical homes of immortals lie:[81]
Tell us how angels draw their breath—
That breathing beyond the power of death.[82]
Say, spirits, say I our sand runs fast;
Death’s warrant may come, and life may be past.
The bliss portray which the good enjoy,
The pain and remorse which the bad annoy,
The sun which sheds on earth no rays,
Yet glorious light in heaven displays![83]
Haste and portray’ our sand runs fast;
Death’s mandate may come, and life may be past.
_Query to the High Spirits._
Throughout the azure realms of space
Do blessed spirits cheerly fly
To orbs too far for thoughts to reach,
Or Ross’ reflector to descry?
Or bide they near their natal orb,
To mingle with their mundane friends,
Striving their minds to impress with truth
Which to their future welfare tends?
_Reply of the Spirits._
‘Tis not to orbs vastly remote
That earth-born spirits wend their flight;
About their own planet to rove
Will ever be their great delight.
Attached by love in lieu of weight,
Throughout its vast orbit they move,
Ever striving with lively zeal
The fate of mortals to improve.[84]