University of Virginia Library


171

ON THE DEATH OF SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY

Lamented Chief! whom cruel Fate
Has doom'd to fall in foreign climes,
Bright Glory's shining Angels wait
To give thy name to distant times.
Each British heart, each noble mind,
Shall mourn o'er thy untimely bier,
And Gratitude and Pity kind
Shall drop the tributary tear!
No more thy courage shall inspire
Admiring bands with martial heat;
Thine eyes have lost their kindling fire,
Thy valiant heart has ceas'd to beat!
But future times shall sound thy praise,
When crown'd with Fame thy name appears;
When Hist'ry's splendid page displays
“The deeds of days of other years!”