Classic Poem

TO this grave is committed
All that the Grave can claim
Of two Brother * * * * * and * * * * * * * * * *
Who on the VII of October MDCCKVII,
Both unfortunately perished in the *** water;
The one in his XXII , the other in his XVIII year,
Their disconsolate Father * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Erects this monument to the memory of
These amiable Youths;
Whose early virtues promised
Uncommon comfort to his declining years,
And singular emolument to society.
O Thou! whose steps in sacred reverence tread
These lone dominions of the silent Dead;
On this sad stone a pious look bestow,
Nor uninstructed read this tale of woe;
And while the sigh of sorrow heaves thy breast,
Let each rebellious murmur be supprest;
Heaven's hidden ways to trace, for us, how vain!
Heaven's wife decrees, how impious, to arraign!
Pure from the stains of a polluted age,
In early bloom of life, THEY left the stage:
Not doom'd in lingering woe to waste their breath
One moment snatch'd Them from the power of Death:
They liv'd united, and united died;
Happy the friends, whom Death cannot divide!