 | Metrical Effusions |  |
97
STANZAS
TO A FRIEND ON THE DEATH OF HER FATHER.
Though nature's feelings rend thy heart,
Shock'd by a parent's death;
Though friendship could not turn the dart
Which took his vital breath;
Shock'd by a parent's death;
Though friendship could not turn the dart
Which took his vital breath;
The record of my feeble pen,
Engraven on thy breast,
May welcome to thee once again
The pillow of thy rest.
Engraven on thy breast,
May welcome to thee once again
The pillow of thy rest.
98
And though religion well might calm
Th' excess of filial love;
Reflection may, with lenient balm,
Some source of comfort prove.
Th' excess of filial love;
Reflection may, with lenient balm,
Some source of comfort prove.
Though quick the change, and prompt the stroke,
Which snapt the slender chain
Of life, it sav'd him from the yoke
Of slow consuming pain.
Which snapt the slender chain
Of life, it sav'd him from the yoke
Of slow consuming pain.
With much to hope, and nought to fear,
Beyond the silent tomb,
Peaceful was once his dwelling here;
More peaceful now his home.
Beyond the silent tomb,
Peaceful was once his dwelling here;
More peaceful now his home.
To him whose task was daily done,
Death could be no surprise;
For well he knew that life's last sun
Would with his Saviour rise.
Death could be no surprise;
For well he knew that life's last sun
Would with his Saviour rise.
99
The splendour of that promis'd morn
What numbers can set forth,
When robes of glory shall adorn
The majesty of worth?
What numbers can set forth,
When robes of glory shall adorn
The majesty of worth?
Still on his manly face and form
May memory fondly dwell,
And still affection's yearnings warm
Thy wounded bosom swell.
May memory fondly dwell,
And still affection's yearnings warm
Thy wounded bosom swell.
Nature such feelings will betray
And own the tribute due;
But faith should wipe the tear away,
And inward peace renew.
And own the tribute due;
But faith should wipe the tear away,
And inward peace renew.
The path a righteous sire has trod
Distinctly points to heaven;
The grace and goodness of his God
To thee are also given.
Distinctly points to heaven;
The grace and goodness of his God
To thee are also given.
100
That path observ'd, what rapture sweet,
Beyond my skill to paint,
Thy panting soul shall feel to greet
The father in the saint!
Beyond my skill to paint,
Thy panting soul shall feel to greet
The father in the saint!
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