University of Virginia Library

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161

TO THE MEMORY OF Mrs. MARY M'KEAN.

To yonder new made grave I'll go,
And there indulge my swelling grief:
There shall the tears of friendship flow,
And give my wounded heart relief.

To yonder grave, oh! muse, repair,
And whilst I breathe my tender sighs,
Attune thy plaintive lyre, for there
The lov'd, the lost Maria lies.

Blest be the ground where thou art laid;
Let no unhallow'd foet presume
Upon thy tufted grave to tread;
No hostile hand profane thy tomb.

Angelic hosts assembled here,
Shall guard the consecrated ground;
In robes of radiant light appear,
And spread seraphic music round.

The winds that thro' the midnight gloom,
Wild howling o'er the mountains fly;
Shall cease their rage, when near thy tomb,
And pass in plaintive murmurs by.

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162

When at the board with festive glee,
Gay pleasures social bosoms chear;
E'en mirth shall pause to think on thee,
And, thinking, drop a silent tear.

With grateful hearts the poor distress,
Shall to thy grave lamenting go;
Then shall thy hand be duly blest,
That hand which lov'd to soften woe.

Oft when the moon with placid ray
Gleams o'er the dew-bespangled green,
Here shall my silent footsteps stray,
Here shall my pensive form be seen.

Thy worth, dear saint, shall then arise
All bright to contemplation's view:
Review thy life with weeping eyes,
And weeping strive to copy you,

Remembrance long shall hold thee fast;
Thy form, thy virtues ne'er shall die:
I'll love thee thus whilst life shall last,
And bless thee with my latest sigh.

THE EPITAPH.

Fair was her form, serene her mind,
Her heart and hopes were fix'd on high:
Her hand beneficent and kind
Oft wip'd the tear from sorrow's eye.

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163

The sweets of friendship soften'd care;
Love, peace, and joy, her soul possest:
Meekness perfum'd each rising pray'r;
And ev'ry rising pray'r was blest.
In heav'n we trust, her fainted spirit sings
Glad Hallelujahs to the King of Kings.