Philomela :: :: University of Virginia Library

With singing Angels hence she posts away,
As lovely now, and excellent as they:
For one short Moment Death's grim Looks she bore,
But ne'er shall see his gastly Visage more.
Releas'd from her dull Fetters; as the Light,
Active, and pure, Parthenia takes her Flight;

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And finds, at last, the aweful Secrecy,
How Spirits act, and what they do, and be.
But now she's swallow'd in a Flood of Light,
And scarce endures the Splendor of the Sight:
Dear Shade, whom Heaven did so soon remove
From these Cold Regions to the Land of Love;
To endless Pleasures, and eternal day;
How glitt'ring now? How satisfy'd and gay
Art thou? methinks I do but half lament
The lovely Saint, from my Embraces rent:
Nor can on those fair Mansions cast my Eyes,
To which she's fled, and not re-call my Sighs.
My Grief for her were as unjust, as vain,
If from that Bliss 'twould hurry her again:
For tho' the charming'st Friend on Earth I've lost,
Yet she the while may the Advantage boast:
And should her pure unfetter'd Soul but daign
A careless Glance on these dark Coasts again,
'Twould smile, as conscious, where she left her Chain;

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And smile again at the surprizing Odds
Of her late Dwelling, and chose bright Abodes;
Those bright Abodes where now, securely blest,
She sings the Anthems of Eternal Rest.