University of Virginia Library

AN EPITAPH

ON MRS. MARY H. SHAW, DAUGHTER OF JUDGE HOWEL, OF PROVIDENCE.

[1811.]

Here sleep the charities of heart combined,
To meliorate the energies of mind;
Where purest wit and liveliest fancy graced,
And reason wore the ornaments of taste.
With her, enthusiast feeling's warmest flame
Consumed the selfish in the social aim;
Hers the firm faith that calmed the flutt'ring breath,
And hers the holy hope that lived in death!
Mother of babes, with every kindred grace,
And equal parent of an orphan race,
Each duty, bliss of life, within her call,
She felt, fulfilled, enjoyed, resigned them all!
No fav'rite virtue sparkled in her breast
With fatal brightness, to eclipse the rest;
Like yon white arch, whose stars unite as one,
Her circling virtues blended—each a sun.
When ruined health found aid and effort vain,
Nobly she triumphed o'er protracted pain,
And sweetly slumbered, till the just shall rise,
And God pronounce her welcome to the skies!