Classic Poem

'T IS done, — 'tis God has call'd her, — I submit,
And humbly own that best which he thinks fit.
But, ah! when first I heard the direful news,
My wounded soul all comfort did refuse:
I heard — I felt — I sunk beneath the stroke,
With very grief my vital spirits broke.
I view'd the dear-lov'd face, consign'd to death,
And heard her bless me with her parting breath.
My heart was full, and in my grief I cry'd,
" Oh! that I had with my dear mother dy'd; "
A thousand of her soft endearing words
Flew to my mind, and pierc'd my heart like swords,
She gave me birth, and more than twenty years
I've been the object of her anxious cares.
Thro' helpless infancy she sav'd from harms,
And nurs'd, and bore me in her tender arms.
She sympathiz'd in all my pain and grief,
And would have borne it all for my relief.

And is that precious life for ever o'er?
And shall I find maternal love no more;
In vain this vast terrestrial ball I trace,
I view no more that lovely, dearest face:
No more her tender, Christian letters see,
Nor hear how oft she wept and pray'd for me.
Oh! worst of days, that has bereft of life,
So dear a mother, and so lov'd a wife.
Where shall I go to ease my burthen'd heart!
Where find a friend, who'll with me bear a part?
Alas! there's none — O let me weep and sigh!
I'll mourn and wail my loss until I die!

Thus nature felt and spoke; for reason fled,
And faith and hope lay bury'd with the dead;
But there's a God , a never-failing friend,
Whose pity, love, and goodness, know no end.
I knew him such, I to his foot-stool flew,
And sound his promises were firm and true.
He heard my sad complaint, he gave relief,
And bade me rise superior to my grief.
Hush — nature — then I cry'd, nor more complain,
She only left a world of grief and pain,
To enter mansions of eternal rest,
To live and reign with God , for ever blest.
How patient in affliction, how resign'd,
How meet for glory was her peaceful mind!
She welcom'd death, and said, Lord, quickly come ,
And take me hence, I long to be at home.
She blest her house, and bid them cease to weep,
Then, with a smile, in C HRIST she fell asleep.

Hail then, dear saint in thy immortal joy!
In bliss superlative, without alloy.
Live with thy God , nor let my partial mind
E'er wish thy stay from joys so unconfin'd;
But let my grateful heart in praise ascend,
To that all-gracious, all-victorious friend
Who guided, lov'd, and kept thee to the end.