Classic Poem

Oh! worthy Friend! to Truth, to Kindred dear!
From fair Respect thy mem'ry claims a tear;
While solemn Fancy, with her soothing pow'r,
Sects a treasure from thy dying hour. —
How blest is he, who thus, when Life is past,
Finds in Eternity his home at last!
Where waves tumultuous never more shall rise,
Nor tempests reach his harbour in the skies! —
From those bright Realms of Happiness Above,
There shines a gleam to sooth ev'n widow'd Love!
To cheer the filial heart, which droops opprest,
And bid fraternal Sorrow gently rest;
For oh! like Ev'ning's mildest, gentlest ray,
His virtuous spirit glided soft away!
And Death's dark shade, illum'd with comfort, stoles,
With meek acceptance on his conscious soul. —
Its gloomy vale, resign'd, the Christian trod,
To meet in Heaven his Saviour and his God .