Lines, on the Death of a Friend
Mournfully, tearfully, twine we a wreath,
To the memory of one who sleeps
with the dead;
Calmly she slumbers the cold sod beneath,
While the wind chants a requiem
over her bed.
Early she drank of the fountain of sorrow.
Cold press’d the hand
of grief on her heart;
No gleam from the sunshine of hope could
she borrow,
In earthly enjoyments her
soul had no part.
She pass’d from the earth like a
beautiful vision;
Pale grew her cheek, and sunken
her eye,
Yet her spirit evinc’d a noble decision,
Still strong in affection
and fearless to die.
Her husband and child had pass’d
on before her,
Through the dark valley and
shadow of death;
Her Saviour, she hop’d, to their
love would restore her.
Then she fear’d not
the summons to yield up her breath.
To rest near the spot where those lov’d
ones were sleeping,
Was the last earthly wish
of her desolate heart;
And she pray’d whilst disease to
her vitals was creeping,
That God would his grace and
protection impart.
The tears of fond sisters, the love of
a brother,
From that hallow’d spot
could not tempt her to stay;
Though dear to her heart, the love of
another
Still o’er her spirit
held mightier sway.
She left the dear spot of her childhood’s
affection,
For her own belov’d
home in the far distant west;
Her fond heart still clung to the sweet
recollection
Of hours she had pass’d
there, contented and bless’d.
But now all her trials and sorrows are
ended,
Clos’d are her eyes
in “death’s dreamless sleep;”
Her spirit, we trust, has to glory ascended,
Hope whispers sweet peace
while in sadness we weep.