Safe in their Alabaster Chambers－1
Untouched by Morning
And untouched by Noon－
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection－
Rafter of satin,
And Roof of stone.
Light laughs the breeze 7
In her Castle above them－
Babbles the Bee in a stolid Ear,
Pipe the Sweet Birds in ignorant cadence－
Ah, what sagacity perished here!
Untouched by Morning
And untouched by Noon－
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection－
Rafter of satin,
And Roof of stone.
Light laughs the breeze 7
In her Castle above them－
Babbles the Bee in a stolid Ear,
Pipe the Sweet Birds in ignorant cadence－
Ah, what sagacity perished here!
(F.124/J.216)
[1] Alabaster Chambers:: a description of the ruins by the volcano ash. Pompeii was buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Excavation started from the 18th century.
[2, 3] Untouched, Morning, Noon:: people buried by the volcano ash.
[4] meek, Resurrection:: the bodies were maintained in their last postures when dug out, another kind of resurrection.
[5, 6] satin, stone:: the outlook of buildings covered with volcano ash.
[7] laughs:: the nature laughs with breeze.
[8] her Castle:: Mount Vesuvius as the nature's castle. them:: people buried in Pompeii.
[9] the Bee:: busy worker who babbles while excavating the ruins.
[10] Birds:: smart fellows, tourists.
[11] sagacity perished:: a hint that a "saga-city" was ruined (by volcano, diggers, and tourists).
Such is the story the ruins of Pompeii tell with their mute but eloquent lips. You read it in every mouldering pile — on the corner of every silent street . . . The marble halls . . . as rich and resplendent — as when the occupants were summoned away. Death, which swept every living thing with its fierce and fiery tide, has mercifully spared the material. ─ Friends' Intelligencer, Volume 16 (1860)