Beneath Our Feet and Oer Our Head

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Beneath Our Feet and Oer Our Head

ST. ASAPH-Attr. to Giovanni M. Giornovichi

Beneath Our Feet and O'er Our Head
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Beneath our feet and o'er our head
Is equal warning given;
Beneath us lie the countless dead,
Above us is the heaven!

Death rides on every passing breeze,
And lurks in every flower;
Each season hath its own disease,
Its peril every hour!

Our eyes have seen the rosy light
Of youth's soft cheek decay;
And fate descend in sudden night
On manhood's middle day.

Our eyes have seen the steps of age
Halt feebly to the tomb;
And yet shall earth our hearts engage,
And dreams of days to come?

Then, mortal, turn! thy danger know;
Where'er thy foot can tread,
The earth rings hollow from below,
And warns thee of her dead!

Turn, mortal, turn! thy soul apply
To truths divinely given:
The dead, who underneath thee lie,
Shall live for hell or heaven!