Ode Written in the Beginning of the Year 1746

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Ode Written in the Beginning of the Year 1746 by William Collins

How sleep the brave who sink to rest
By all their country's wishes blest!
When Spring, with dewey fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.

By fairy hands their knell is rung,
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honour comes, a pilgrim grey,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell a weeping Hermit there.