Stones from The Quarry or, Moods of Mind. By Henry Browne [i.e. Henry Ellison] |
 |
|
ON THE DEATH OF MY FRIEND,
MAJOR G. P. THOMAS. |
|
 | Stones from The Quarry |  |
18
ON THE DEATH OF MY FRIEND, MAJOR G. P. THOMAS.
The Pagans offered victims, ox or sheepOr goat, on sensuous altars, grossly reared
To fabled gods; but he, oh he! endeared
To all by gifts of spirit sweet and deep,
Himself a ready sacrifice did keep
For nobler altar, nobler victim, cheered
By “Duty;” in such hearts sublimely sphered,
Tho' cypress crown, not laurel, all they reap.
Alas! were children orphaned but for this,
For this wife widowed? Even so! repine
Not at the price of all that noblest is;
No dross of earth e'er purchased aught divine.
This star its rays of purest light would miss,
Did it less purged for our beholding shine!
| Stones from The Quarry | |