79

 79. Relics of Saints  "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all  live unto Him."  "THE Fathers are in dust, yet live to God:"  So says the Truth; as if the motionless clay Still held the seeds of life beneath the sod,  Smouldering and struggling till the judgment    day.  And hence we learn with reverence to esteem  Of these frail houses, though the grave confines; Sophist may urge his cunning tests, and deem  That they are earth; but they are heavenly    shrines.  Palermo .  June 1, 1833.