Classic Poem

When Lo!
Indulgent Sleep before me brought
The much lov'd Object of my waking Thought;
A Moses Brightness o'er her Face did shine,
And ev'ry Feature spoke a Joy divine:
Serene her Look, and heav'nly was her Air,
More tall than Life she seem'd, and more than Mortal fair.
I'm come, she cried, to bid a long Adieu!
And had a Mind to let you know,
I must a wond'rous Journey go,
And could not part without another View:
Excuse me, Friend, I can no longer stay,
I must prepare——To morrow is the Day.
Struck with Surprize! and ravish'd with the Grace!
I sought to hold her in a dear Embrace,
But light as Air, she vanish'd from the place.
Waking, I cried! unhappy Maid,
With Tears thy Loss deplore!
Marissa's venerable Shade
Has now its last kind Office paid,
And dwells on Earth no more.
Too sure, alas, the Vision does foretel!
Ah me! I hear it now confirm'd——Illustrious Friend farewel.