Classic Poem

W HOE'ER , like me, with trembling anguish brings
His dearest earthly treasure to these springs;
Whoe'er, like me, to soothe distress and pain,
Shall court these salutary springs in vain;

Condemned, like me, to hear the faint reply,
To mark the fading cheek, the sinking eye,
From the chill brow to wipe the damps of death,
And watch in dumb despair the shortening breath;

If chance should bring him to this humble line,
Let the sad mourner know his pangs were mine.
Ordained to love the partner of my breast,
Whose virtue warmed me, and whose beauty blessed;

Framed every tie that binds the heart to prove,
Her duty friendship, and her friendship love;
But yet remembering that the parting sigh
Appoints the just to slumber, not to die,

The starting tear I checked — I kissed the rod,
And not to earth resigned her — but to God.