Classic Poem

WHO WAS DROWNED, IN THE PRESENCE OF A MUTUAL FRIEND .

What Muse of pity shall my heart invoke?
What mournful measure to express my grief?
Lament the social bond of friendship broke,
And, venting sorrow, give my soul relief!

How vain are all the purposes of man,
His hopes of happiness, and dreams of love!
Fruitless the scenes his fond ideas plan,
While doubtful hangs the balance from above!

Full in the pride of bold aspiring youth,
With manly health, and active spirits bless'd
I've lost a friend, a friend of matchless truth!
Whose mind the gen'rous virtues all possess'd.

And thou, Eugene, whom heav'n, in pity, spar'd,
And left me not a friendless wretch to mourn;
The pangs of death thy bosom must have shared,
When hapless Carlos from thy sight was borne!

Ah, cruel wave! that wash'd him from the shore,
And broke a link of friendship's sacred chain;
Why would'st thou not unto his friend restore,
The breathless body from the dreary main?

Alas! his corpse, expos'd to parching wind,
Floats o'er the surface of the treach'rous deep;
Ah! wretched mortals to the future blind!
How little did I think his death to weep:

And such a death! — ere half his days were flown,
Just when he enter'd on the world's wide stage;
When all those seeds in ripen'd strength had grown,
Which virtue planted in an early age.

No friendly care his relics to attend,
Nor decent stone his merits to record;
No warning sent of his approaching end,
Nor knowledge of the awful, dread award!

Yet with submission let me humbly bend,
And be my guilty murm'rings all suppress'd,
Th' Almighty call'd to Heav'n my much-lov'd friend,
And what his will decrees must prove the best!

And though no pompous honours are bestow'd,
No fun'ral rites upon his wat'ry bier;
Friendship shall pay the debt so justly ow'd,
And yield the annual tribute of a tear.

Oft as that fatal morning shall return
That gave my friend for ever to the wave,
Fancy before my eyes shall place his urn,
And call his image from the wat'ry grave!

Then when the vision opens to my view,
His many virtues mem'ry shall impart;
And, proving to our friendship ever true,
Shall write his epitaph upon my heart!