ON BEING DESIRED TO WRITE AN ELEGY FOR MRS. HANNAH BUTTS.
Can I describe a worth like thine,
Transcript of excellence Divine,
Though friendship urge, and love demand,
The tribute of so mean a hand?
Thy loveliness from far I see,
Thy height of Christian dignity,
But fail to utter that thou art,
Or show thine image in my heart.
Could I like rapid Young aspire,
Transported on his car of fire,
Or flow with academic ease,
Smooth as our own Isocrates,
Beautiful words I could not find
Expressive of so fair a mind;
But want an angel's tongue to paint
The glories of an humble saint.
O were they all on me bestow'd,
The form and lineaments of God,
His image on thy soul impress'd,
His love that fill'd thy faithful breast!
How gladly then would I ascend,
With thee, to view our heavenly Friend;
In rapturous strains His praise repeat,
And sing triumphant at thy feet!
