The Dance of Life A Poem, by the author of "Doctor Syntax;%" [i.e. William Combe] Illustrated with coloured engravings, by Thomas Rowlandson |
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 | CHAPTER I. INFANCY. The Dance of Life |  |
“—But let me check my passion's force,
“And stop the current in its course:
“Nor let a desp'rate tongue o'erflow
“With the dire sacrilege of woe:
“For, if the dead could converse hold
“With beings clad in mortal mould:
“Oh, if thy Spirit hover'd near
“To breath thy counsels in my ear,
“Would not its accents bid me live,
“Submit with patience—and forgive;
“Nor mourn thy lot in realms above
“Where Angels live, and Angels love;
“But nurse the Hope, when Life is o'er,
“To meet—where we shall part no more.
“All that the powers above ordain
“I'll bear, nor in a thought complain:
“Yes, I'll obey, as if I heard
“Thy heavenly Vision's warning word.
“And stop the current in its course:
“Nor let a desp'rate tongue o'erflow
“With the dire sacrilege of woe:
“For, if the dead could converse hold
“With beings clad in mortal mould:
“Oh, if thy Spirit hover'd near
“To breath thy counsels in my ear,
“Would not its accents bid me live,
“Submit with patience—and forgive;
“Nor mourn thy lot in realms above
“Where Angels live, and Angels love;
“But nurse the Hope, when Life is o'er,
“To meet—where we shall part no more.
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“I'll bear, nor in a thought complain:
“Yes, I'll obey, as if I heard
“Thy heavenly Vision's warning word.
| CHAPTER I. INFANCY. The Dance of Life | |