Sonnets and Other Small Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Here what was mortal we consign to earth
Of wit and learning, amity and worth;
Of wit, to no mean purpose misapplied,
Of classic learning, free from pedant pride;
Of amity, that no ‘cold medium’ knew,
Of generous worth, that scorn'd a sordid view;
Join'd with each practis'd art, each studious skill,
To heal the griefs of medicable ill:—
Or, if to stem some pestilent disease,
When deadly poison lurk'd in every breeze,
Was Walley summon'd at high Duty's call,
Fear could not check, nor danger could appal,
Consol'd by conscience tho' himself should fall.

ON A GRAVE-STONE

In Acton Church-Yard* , Middlesex.*

When some lone youth by kindred grief is led
To court the dwellings of the sainted dead;
If filial fondness for parental worth,
Should guide his footsteps to this hallow'd earth,
Here let him gaze; and from this mournful stone
Learn that his sorrows are not his alone;
That HE, whose honour'd dust reposes here,
Had every gift to make his being dear,
Had all that heav'n of excellence could blend
To make the father cherish'd as the friend;
Had all that earth in anguish could resign,
Yet know, sad sorrower, that task was mine!

And if such sympathy may sooth your grief,
May give the wounded bosom short relief
Oh! let the soul this brighter prospect cheer,
To gain hereafter what it valued here.

ON THE DEATH OF AN OLD FAMILY ACQUAINTANCE.

Friend of my father! to thy spirit peace,—
Peace to each cruel wrong it calmly bore:
And since the grave hath bid thy sorrows cease,
Let the same grave its ravages restore.

May thy lov'd friend, my venerated sire,
Who the same path a little earlier trod;
May he array thee in divine attire,
And lead thee to the mansion of his GOD!

Methinks I see ye pierce some radiant sphere,
Where grace and mercy beam celestial light;
Methinks I see ye—till an earth-born tear
Recalls my fancy from its daring flight.

Yet, virtuous C---, that meekness will I praise,
Which built its triumphs on a ‘Saviour's plan’;
And trust the Power who searches human ways,
Will grant that recompense denied by man.

ON A YOUNG LADY, WHO DIED OF A CONSUMPTION.

Here pause ye young, ye aged ponder here,—
From our affliction yours should be the gain;
Struck by her fate, but shed one selfish tear,
Nor she has died, nor you may live in vain.

Think, in Life's spring, her opening views how fair,
Health, joy, affection, made her breast their home;
Ere summer came (O ye who breathe, beware)
A sickly blight had sadden'd every bloom:

Prey'd on the heart where gentlest pity grew,
Sunk the pale cheek which while it wasted, smil'd;
For arm'd with hope, the sting from death she drew,
And of its victory the grave beguil'd.

Tho' long by languor, or by pain opprest,
Calm was her soul, and patient were her sighs:
Heav'n did but claim a mortal for its guest,
And Earth gave up an angel to the skies.

University of Virginia Library

EPITAPHS.

ON WILLIAM WALLEY, M.D.

Late of Gammels near Ware , Herts.

ON A GRAVE-STONE

In Acton Church-Yard , Middlesex.

ON THE DEATH OF AN OLD FAMILY ACQUAINTANCE.

ON A YOUNG LADY, WHO DIED OF A CONSUMPTION.

Late of Gammels* near Ware , Herts.*

In Acton Church-Yard* , Middlesex.*