Classic Poem

For the year 1789

“Oh most delightful hour by man
 Experienc'd here below;
The hour that terminates his span,
 His folly and his woe.

“Worlds should not bribe me back to tread
 Again life's dreary waste;
To see my days again o'erspread
 With all the gloomy past.

“My home, henceforth, is in the skies,
 Earth, seas, and sun adieu;
All heav'n unfolded to my eyes,
 I have no sight for you.”

Thus spake Aspatio, firm possest
 Of faith's supporting rod;
Then breath'd his soul into its rest,
 The bosom of his God.

He was a man among the few
 Sincere on Virtue's side,
And all his strength from Scripture drew,
 To hourly use applied.

That rule he priz'd, by that he fear'd,
 He hated, hop'd, and lov'd,
Nor ever frown'd, or sad appear'd,
 But when his heart had rov'd.

For he was frail as thou or I,
 And evil felt within,
But when he felt it, heav'd a sigh,
 And loath'd the thought of sin.

Such liv'd Aspatio, and at last,
 Call'd up from earth to heaven,
The gulph of death triumphant pass'd,
 By gales of blessing driven.

His joys be mine , each reader cries,
 When my last hour arrives:
They shall be yours, my verse replies,
 Such ONLY be your lives.