Classic Poem

Thy fate Eliza we must all deplore!
How short thy life! how sudden was thy doom;
Scarce twice twelve years have sent one victim more,
To rest in silence in the dreary tomb!

Ah! what avails, or youth, or beauty bright,
Th' " Insatiate Archer " wounds both old and young;
Clos'd are those eyes in never-ending night,
And mute for ever, is thy tuneful tongue!

The human race must fall, the debt is due,
Th' irrevocable sentence, all must try;
Reflect on that, the next perhaps is you ,
Or he , or I , for all shall surely die.

The change soon comes! our moments pass away,
Like winding rivers gliding to the main;
Our days so few; oh! may we never stray,
From virtue's paths while life does yet remain.

Around her bed the Guardian Angels fly,
She heard them singing, whilst one seem'd to say:
" To live for ever, 'LIZA , you must die,
" Come therefore, sister, come with speed away. "

Let us like 'LIZA , choose the better part,
And then with joy we may lay down to rest;
Trust in our Maker, and with grateful heart,
Acknowledge that, " whatever is, is best. "

Not but humanity demands a tear,
'Tis nature prompts, give decent sorrow scope;
But, whilst affection calls you to her Bier ,
Remember friend , to " grieve not without hope. "