University of Virginia Library

ON THE DEATH OF AN INFANT.

FIRST SPIRIT.
Sister Spirit! where speeds Death,
Haste and watch the fleeting soul:
Follow quick that mournful toll,
'Tis some infant's parting breath.

SECOND SPIRIT.
This way, sister! 'tis our parts
Infant shoots of life to tend,
Tender spirits to befriend,
And transplant the purest hearts.

FIRST SPIRIT.
Haste along! I hear the tone
Of a weeping mother's moan—
Lo! the body on its bier,
Lo! the spirit hov'ring near.

SECOND SPIRIT.
List we to the woman's woe,
Once on earth like her we felt,
And this sight our hearts could melt,
Till we left the world below.

MOTHER.

FIRST SPIRIT.
Mortals born such griefs to endure!
Lenient time shall be her cure.
Gentle Spirit! come away!
Court no more thy mould'ring clay.

SECOND SPIRIT.
When infant spirits leave the earth,
In these abodes they then have birth:
For heav'nly knowledge now prepare;
To us thy God consigns the care.
Hallelujah!

INFANT SPIRIT.
As bursting from a shell I feel,
What wonders teem in this abode!
Kind Spirits lead me, and reveal
The paths that guide me to my God!
Hallelujah!

CHORUS.
All pain is past, and plain the road
That spirits take to find their God.
Hallelujah!