If I stoop
Into a dark tremendous sea of cloud,
It is but for a time; I read more

If I stoop
Into a dark tremendous sea of cloud,
It is but for a time; I press God's lamp
Close to my breast; its splendor soon or late
Will pierce the gloom; I shall emerge one day.

The muse does not allow the praise-de-serving here to die: she
enthrones him in the heavens.
[Lat., Dignum read more

The muse does not allow the praise-de-serving here to die: she
enthrones him in the heavens.
[Lat., Dignum laude virum Musa vetat mori;
Coelo Musa beat.]

Fish say, they have their Stream and Pond;
But is there anything Beyond?

Fish say, they have their Stream and Pond;
But is there anything Beyond?

We feel and know that we are eternal.

We feel and know that we are eternal.

'Tis immortality to die aspiring,
As if a man were taken quick to heaven.

'Tis immortality to die aspiring,
As if a man were taken quick to heaven.

The belief in immortality has always seemed cowardly to me. When very young I learned that all things die, and read more

The belief in immortality has always seemed cowardly to me. When very young I learned that all things die, and all that we wish of good must be won on this earth or not at all.

It must be so--Plato, thou reasonest well!--
Else whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire,
This longing read more

It must be so--Plato, thou reasonest well!--
Else whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire,
This longing after immortality?
Or whence this secret dread, and inward horror,
O falling into nought? Why shrinks the soul
Back on herself, and startles at destruction?
'Tis the divinity that stirs within us;
'Tis heaven itself, that points out an hereafter,
And intimates eternity to man.

I long to believe in immortality. . . . If I am destined to be
happy with you here--how read more

I long to believe in immortality. . . . If I am destined to be
happy with you here--how short is the longest life. I wish to
believe in immortality--I wish to live with you forever.

There is nothing strictly immortal, but immortality. Whatever
hath no beginning may be confident of no end.

There is nothing strictly immortal, but immortality. Whatever
hath no beginning may be confident of no end.