Poems and miscellanies selected from the writings of Miss Eliza Townsend Printed but not published |
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A PETITION. |
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 | Poems and miscellanies selected from the writings of Miss Eliza Townsend |  |
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A PETITION.
[1809.]
I ask not pomp, I ask not power,
Thou Giver of all gifts to man!
Nor fickle Fortune's golden shower,
Nor life beyond the common span.
Thou Giver of all gifts to man!
Nor fickle Fortune's golden shower,
Nor life beyond the common span.
Grant me a heart to good inclined,
That gift all other gifts above,—
An active hand, a liberal mind,
The hearts and lives of those I love!
That gift all other gifts above,—
An active hand, a liberal mind,
The hearts and lives of those I love!
And O, forbid that e'er again,
With bleeding heart and weeping eye,
I mingle with the mourning train,
Where Friendship's funeral passes by!
With bleeding heart and weeping eye,
I mingle with the mourning train,
Where Friendship's funeral passes by!
Spare me but that, Almighty Sire!
All other blessings I'd resign;
Let not its flame of life expire,
But last beyond the date of mine!
All other blessings I'd resign;
Let not its flame of life expire,
But last beyond the date of mine!
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Should toil and want be still my share,
And disappointment and disease,
Still more my wasted form impair,
And wrench my hold from peace or ease!
And disappointment and disease,
Still more my wasted form impair,
And wrench my hold from peace or ease!
If never mine to know the joy
To draw Detraction's poisoned dart,
The power of penury to destroy,
And cheer the stranger's desert heart!
To draw Detraction's poisoned dart,
The power of penury to destroy,
And cheer the stranger's desert heart!
Yet may not merely selfishness
Exhaust my wishes or my fears;
May hardened guilt receive my prayers,
And misery ever have my tears!
Exhaust my wishes or my fears;
May hardened guilt receive my prayers,
And misery ever have my tears!
And still, let weal or woe betide,
May that fraternal One be nigh,
Who rose and ripened by my side,
With whom I've lived—for whom I'd die!
May that fraternal One be nigh,
Who rose and ripened by my side,
With whom I've lived—for whom I'd die!
Then give—nor dare I ask for more—
A righteous life, a tranquil end;
Till raised to join, when these are o'er,
My Heavenly Guide—my earthly Friend.
A righteous life, a tranquil end;
Till raised to join, when these are o'er,
My Heavenly Guide—my earthly Friend.
| Poems and miscellanies selected from the writings of Miss Eliza Townsend | |