Poems (Hale)/Immortality

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For works with similar titles, see Immortality.
IMMORTALITY.
   The soul will never die.
The gorgeous tints of earth will fade away,
And night's dark clouds obscure the brightest day:
   But in the realms on high,
Where never comes decay, or death, or gloom,
The soul in everlasting light shall bloom.

   O! glorious destiny!
What shall restrain the spirit's upward flight,
When heaven's pure rays burst on the ravished sight?
   Father in heaven! to Thee,
For this blest hope the heart would humbly raise
Its grateful offering of prayer and praise.

   O! let the spirit raise
Its faith, its love, to that celestial clime,
And bless its glorious King in strains sublime.
   Him glowing seraphs praise;
And what more nobly can the tongue employ,
Than strains to Him whose smile is perfect joy?

   Then raise the thoughts to Him,
Ere age its chilling influence impart;
Let the pure fervor of the grateful heart,
   Ere the bright eye be dim,
Ere yet the lip by death shall be subdued,
Arise to Him in love and gratitude.