 | Poems on various subjects, religious and moral |  |
On the DEATH of J. C. an Infant.
NO more the flow'ry scenes of pleasure rise,
Nor charming prospects greet the mental eyes;
No more with joy we view that lovely face
Smiling, disportive, flush'd with ev'ry grace.
The tear of sorrow flows from ev'ry eye,
Groans answer groans, and sighs to sighs reply;
What sudden pangs shot thro' each aching heart,
When, Death, thy messenger dispatch'd his dart?
Thy dread attendants, all-destroying Pow'r
Hurried the infant to his mortal hour.
Could'st thou unpitying close those radiant eyes?
Or fail'd his artless beauties to surprize?
Could not his innocence thy stroke controul,
Thy purpose shake, and soften all thy soul?
Nor charming prospects greet the mental eyes;
No more with joy we view that lovely face
Smiling, disportive, flush'd with ev'ry grace.
The tear of sorrow flows from ev'ry eye,
Groans answer groans, and sighs to sighs reply;
What sudden pangs shot thro' each aching heart,
When, Death, thy messenger dispatch'd his dart?
Thy dread attendants, all-destroying Pow'r
Hurried the infant to his mortal hour.
Could'st thou unpitying close those radiant eyes?
Or fail'd his artless beauties to surprize?
Could not his innocence thy stroke controul,
Thy purpose shake, and soften all thy soul?
67
The blooming babe, with shades of Death o'er
spread,
No more shall smile, no more shall raise its head,
But like a branch that from the tree is torn,
Falls prostrate, wither'd, languid, and forlorn.
"Where flies my James?" tis thus I seem to hear
The parent ask, "Some angel tell me where
"He wings his passage thro' the yelding air?"
Methinks a cherub, bending from the skies,
Observes the question and serene replies,
"In heav'ns high palaces your babe appears:
Prepare to meet him, and dismiss your tears."
Shall not th' intelligence your grief restrain,
And turn the mournful to the chearful strain?
Cease your complaints, suspend each rising sigh,
Cease to accuse the Ruler of the sky.
Parents, no more indulge the salling tear:
Let Faith to heav'n's resulgent domes repair,
There see your insant, like a seraph glow:
What charms celestial in his numbers flow
Melodious, while the soul-enchanting strain
Dwells on his tongue, and sills th' ethereal plain?
Enough—for ever cease your murm'ring breath;
Not as a foe, but friend converse with Death,
Since to the port of happiness unknown
He brought that treasure which you call your own.
The gift of heav'n intrusted to your hand
Chearful resign at the divine command:
Not at your bar must sov'reign Wisdom stand.
No more shall smile, no more shall raise its head,
But like a branch that from the tree is torn,
Falls prostrate, wither'd, languid, and forlorn.
"Where flies my James?" tis thus I seem to hear
The parent ask, "Some angel tell me where
"He wings his passage thro' the yelding air?"
Methinks a cherub, bending from the skies,
Observes the question and serene replies,
"In heav'ns high palaces your babe appears:
Prepare to meet him, and dismiss your tears."
Shall not th' intelligence your grief restrain,
And turn the mournful to the chearful strain?
Cease your complaints, suspend each rising sigh,
Cease to accuse the Ruler of the sky.
Parents, no more indulge the salling tear:
Let Faith to heav'n's resulgent domes repair,
There see your insant, like a seraph glow:
What charms celestial in his numbers flow
Melodious, while the soul-enchanting strain
Dwells on his tongue, and sills th' ethereal plain?
Enough—for ever cease your murm'ring breath;
Not as a foe, but friend converse with Death,
Since to the port of happiness unknown
He brought that treasure which you call your own.
68
Chearful resign at the divine command:
Not at your bar must sov'reign Wisdom stand.
| Poems on various subjects, religious and moral | |