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Its banks made bright by scarlet blooms
And purple blossoms. The placid lakes
And emerald meadows, the snowy crest.
Of distant mountains, the ancient rocks
That dripped with honey, the hills all bathed
In light and beauty ; the shady groves
And peaceful vistas, the vines opprest
With purple riches, the fig trees fruit-crowned
Green and golden, the pomegranates. with crimson
Blushes, the olives with their darker clusters,
Rose before him like a vision, full of beauty
And delight. Gazed be on the lovely landscape
Till it faded from his view, and the wing
Of death's sweet angel hovered o'er the mountain's
Crest, and he heard his garments rustle. through
The watches of the night.
Then another, fairer, vision
Broke upon his longing gaze; 'twas the land
Of crystal fountains, love and beauty, joy
And light, for the pearly gates flew open,
And his ransomed soul went in. And when mornin;
O'er the mountain fringed each crag and peak with
light,
Cold and lifeless lay the leader. God had touched
His eyes with slumber, giving his beloved sleep.
Oh never on that mountain
Was seen a lovelier sight
Than the troupe of fair young angels That gathered 'round the dead,.
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