University of Virginia Library


344

ON THE DEATH OF DR. BOYCE, FEBRUARY 7, 1779.

Father of harmony, farewell!
Farewell for a few fleeting years!
Translated from the mournful vale,
Jehovah's flaming ministers
Have borne thee to thy place above,
Where all is harmony and love.
Thy generous, good, and upright heart,
Which sigh'd for a celestial lyre,
Was tuned on earth to bear a part
Symphonious with the heavenly choir,
Where Handel strikes the warbling strings,
And plausive angels clap their wings.
Handel, and all the tuneful train,
Who well employ'd their art Divine
To' announce the great Messiah's reign,
In joyous acclamations join,
And, springing from their azure seat,
With shouts their new-born brother greet.
Thy brow a radiant circle wears,
Thy hand a golden harp receives,
And, singing with the morning stars,
Thy soul in endless raptures lives,
And hymns, on the eternal throne,
Jehovah and His conquering Son.