University of Virginia Library

A Short but Sorrowfull memoriall of my dear Sister Sarah Tompson

who entered into glory 15th: 11th. 1679: AEtatis Suae 43:

Penned plainly for the bereaved childrens use and relations Comfort.

If ever Soule found glorios Land I'll venture
To Say her Soule most cleere and pure did enter
Which though by natures filthyness once stain'd
It hath more than its former beauty gain'd
Being rinsed in that fount whereby Saints bee
From filth and Guilt, from fault and charg made free
Tis more than meere Relation that Invites
This testimony of her worth who writes
Twice seven years knowledge bids mee speak the truth
She serv'd her Jesus from her tender youth
When others were on bed and dropt asleep
She to her Saviour oft sate up to weep
She heard, she read, confest, she fasted, pray'd
In public and secret and what els is said
Beseeming real Saints shee said and did
But still with a design of being hid
An hid one during life of rarest worth
And now or never's time to blaze it forth
For others pattern: Well it may be said
He that obtains a wife like this is made.
Speak of her virgin mother maid or wife
She Acted Christian always to the life.
She was a beautious precious crown indeed
Whose soules translation makes her consort bleed
The sweetest fittest Consort could be found
For his Affection on New-Englands ground
One that knew when to Spend and when to Spare
One that knew how to Speake when to forbeare
One in whose heart chast modestie did reighn
That could be angry yet in time refraine
What diligence and prudent ways she had
To make her Chickens round about her glad
By feeding cloathing giving each theyr part
And ordering her household by an Art
Not common: But in her Example true
And imitable but by very few.
An houswife mostly to be found at home
While others from the tents doe ride and rome
A pleasant help to him with whom she joynd
Not meerly for his body but his mind.
How often did her teachings like the dew
Her Children deer daily distill on you
Her tender love and prayrs bespeak your tears
With whome She labourd in her tender years.
For your repentance and your birth anew
Who from her loyns had sins infection drew
Experience sad hath taught mee to confess
It's dolefull to bee left so Motherless
Mothers advantages are very great
The policies of Satan to defeat
Ev'n from the Cradle up their babes to train
In wisdom which to old age may remaine
And hopes I have what of this kind Shee did
When her young hopes spring up will not be hid
Tread in her steps her Christian ways remind
Talk of her words you babes shee left behind,
And you her Solitary mate be sure
May out of this poor Carcas sweet procure
View it o're well, Its but an empty Cage
Where shee was chain'd under a feavors Rage
The Larke at length hath broke its fretting snare
And sings above your head Surpassing fair
While you Lament Shee Smiles: shall her good hour
The Solace of your life at once devoure
Shee has gaind the Start by far: shold she come back
Again to pace her wilderness track,
Shee From Canaans sweetness: To the bloody Sea
Could this with your desires (her love) agree
Surceas those pitteous heart consuming groans
Intomb them with her sickness wither'd bones
YOU and your babes are sadly all depriv'd
But ther's no Sighs nor tears where shee's ariv'd
for Blessed are the dead
that die in the Lord