TO THE READER. The three following little pieces were written at different periods, when the Author was smarting under the bereavement of an only child. The first, a lovely daughter; the second, a promising son; and the third, another daughter: deposited in three different burial-grounds, with the consoling hope, that their spirits are one with the Redeemer in a world of bliss. ELEGY, OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF AN INFANT DAUGHTER. November 15, 1809. "Bright, early, transient, chaste as morning dew, She sparkled, was exhal'd, and went to Heaven." Complaint. How oft has my harp been in sympathy strung, And the plaintive wild strains of sad elegy sung, Ere feelings maternal were form'd in my heart, I have seen the young rose-bud, in spring's early dawn, Ere the dreary cold storms of chill winter are gone, But, too feeble the frosts of rude April to brave, I have seen the gay tulip, the pride of the vale, Tho' it blossom'd at morn, ere evening grow pale, And wither and die in a day; I have seen the fair vi'lets of beautiful hue, But their bloom will not last, and they fade like the dew That hangs o'er the eyelids of May. If beauty, or sweetness, or youth could avail, Nor should the young cherub, so recently given, O nature, dear nature, how potent thou art! Philosophy hardly will own; Tho' reason instructs, that the God who had given, Tho' it bloom'd like the first little roses of spring, Then, why should I grieve for its early decay? Then why should a sigh rend my agoniz'd breast In death it has enter'd a permanent rest, On the bosom of omnific Love. Yet, emblem of beauty, thus recently fled! To affection and sympathy dear, And oft as lone Philomel pours her sad lay, I'll visit the spot that embosoms thy clay, And thy mem'ry embalm with a tear.. |