Classic Poem

Ah Bliss! too great to last,
An Age of Wo,
I undergo
For happy Minutes past.
Pious Sulpitia yielded up her Breath,
And charming Musidora snatch'd by Death,
My Sorrows knew no Bounds:
Ev'n yet they live within my Heart,
Nor Length of Years can cure the Smart,
Or heal the fatal Wounds.
But good Marissa still remain'd,
And with an Eloquence divine,
My Loss condol'd, my Grief restrain'd,
And taught me to resign.
Blest with her Love, I could not wretched be,
Nor while she liv'd, feel perfect Misery.
But now — —
In vain I sigh! in vain I mourn!
And my sad State deplore;
Marissa from her Marble Urn,
Can ne'er to Life return,
Never! never more!
My list'ning Ear,
No more her pious Words must hear,
No more her Form shall bless my longing Eyes,
In Death's cold Arms, alas, Marissa lies!
Here, rest my Muse — Yet'ere thy Labours cease,
In grateful Lays,
Resound her Praise;
Then consecrate thy Harp to everlasting Peace.
With mortal Friendships grieve no more thy Mind,
Henceforth celestial be thy Joys, thy future Love resign'd,