Thy loss no earthly solace can supply ;— ALMEDA lovely, youthful, blooming bride! Thy lot comes next:-Again the whelming tide. Of anguish swells!-like Samiel's poisonous breath, Consumption breathes, and blights this flower in death! -Thou dear companion of my early youth, Clad in the vestments of unvarnished truth; Whose spotless mind embodied every charm,Whose heart, with sympathetick fervour warm :— With every tie, to souls congenial, dear, We could not hold you in this nether sphere. By the safe-conduct of Religion's ray, You left your friends and soared to endless day! In yon enclosure of romantick graves, (New England's loveliest stream whose margin laves,) I saw Leander place thy covering sod, And, in his anguish, cast his cares on GOD! Inspire my Muse, Thou SOURCE of LIGHT divine! As I approach my FATHER's sacred shrine. My reverend Sire-Instructer, Guardian, Friend! Though not permitted on thy hearse to attend, Thy orphan child shall ne'er forget that day, When thou wast summoned from thy flock away. Though the companion of thy youth had diedThough of thy children none were near thy side Yet friendship's ministerings thick clustered round, Next to the Saviour, 't is the love of friends. Weep not for me"-the dying saint replies: "That hope I long have cherished, still remains "An anchor to my soul;-and mortal pains, "Though now they rack this tenement of clay, "Insure me comfort in the realms of day. "A rest remaineth for the child of God, "Who here in patience bears his chastening rod; "For this assured REST, I long-I pray"And hail release from this encumbering clay." -In the sure hope, immortal bliss to gain, This Christian Pastor rests from mortal pain. And now my Brother! nearest me by birth, My only one-companion of my mirthMy first associate-brother, friend, and guide, Twined in whose heart, I sought no friend beside :How tranquilly our youth, our childhood ran, Till time had led us to the state of man. My fortune led me through fair science' ways;— Thee, Glory called to win the warrior's bays. And while me, Alma Mater nursed with care, Thine was the lot the chance of war to share. Could do thee justice, where thy worth was known. One more remains-my Sister, eldest born, In form emaciate with laborious breath I found this dear one!-But no speech can tell She longs-she pants, their radiant choir to join, What slender tie her gentle spirit holds ! -The moment came :-With ardent love I pressed With eyes unpraised, she seemed to pierce the sky, While, thus, celestial visions blest her sight, With speechless grief, reluctant, I consign; And wish-and pray-her grave were also mine! On her cold lips one ardent kiss I pressed, LAST OF MY HOUSE-with all my kindred slain! Yes I remain ALONE! I tread the strand, And, whelmed in grief, my midnight vigils kept! Ye guardian Spirits of my Kindred, dead, Watch o'er my path; surround my dying bed! And, with commission from the FOUNT of Love, Convoy my parting soul, to your bright seats above! Mt. Parnassus, Con. Aug. 30, 1837. |