Poems on Several Occasions By Samuel Boyce |
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Consolatory Verses to James Steere, Esq; Architect, on the death of his Lady. |
 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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Consolatory Verses to James Steere, Esq; Architect, on the death of his Lady.
I
Hence! ev'ry gay idea! hence!Come melancholy, sober sense,
The solemn dirge inspire;
Sooth me to mourn o'er friendship's bier,
To drop the tributary tear,
And touch the plaintive lyre.
II
Friend to my muse! oh, let me joinThe trickling dews of grief with thine,
And thy dear loss deplore!
Mine shall reflect your tearful eyes;
I'll echo back your throbbing sighs;
Then strike my heart for more.
III
Ah, where are now those looks so sweet,That made your breast contentment's seat,
174
Ah, where that music to your ear,
The voice, which wisdom smil'd to hear,
That cherish'd life and love?
IV
Clos'd are those eyes, in endless night,No more to beam with fond delight,
Or with affection roll;
Eternal silence seals that tongue,
Where sense and soft persuasion hung,
To captivate the soul.
V
Oh, she was all that thought can paint!The mortal rising to the saint,
In ev'ry deed of life!
At once the fatal arrows end,
Th'indulgent parent, kindest friend,
And most endearing wife.
175
VI
Fair as the break of op'ning day;Calm as the summer's ev'ning ray;
Truth, virtue, was her guide;
When sister spirits call'd her hence,
Obedience bow'd, at life's expence,
She sigh'd, she sunk, she dy'd.
VII
Immortal saint! supremely bright,Look down through skies of purest light,
And bid affliction cease!
Oh, smooth thy husband's lonely bed,
In visions hover round his head,
And hush his mind to peace.
VIII
When heav'n directs the missive blow,The heart may wish, the eye may flow,
But can't the dead restore;
Yet comfort dawns from realms divine:
There souls their kindred souls shall join,
And meet to part no more.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |