Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.

By Lyrics. I. Auburn

Richard Wilton (1827–1903)

HERE Auburn stood

By pleasant fields surrounded,

Where now for centuries the ocean-flood

With melancholy murmur has resounded.

Here Auburn stood

Where now the sea-bird hovers—

Here stretched the shady lane and sheltering wood,

The twilight haunt of long-forgotten lovers.

The village spire

Here raised its “silent finger,”

Sweet bells were heard and voice of rustic choir,

Where now the pensive chimes of ocean linger.

Dear, white-faced homes

Stood round in happy cluster,

Warm and secure, where the rude breaker foams,

And Winter winds with angry billows bluster.

Here, in still graves,

Reposed the dead of ages:

When lo! with rush of desecrating waves,

Through the green churchyard the loud tempest rages.

Here Auburn stood

Till washed away by ocean,

Whose waters smile to-day in careless mood

O’er its whelmed site, and dance with merry motion.

Here now we stand,

’Mid life’s dear comforts dwelling:

Soon we shall pass—Oh! for a Saviour’s hand

When round our “earthly house” Death’s waves are swelling.