On the Death of a Young Lady, Cousin to the Author and Very Dear to Him
Hush’d are the winds, and still the evening gloom,
Not e’en a zephyr wanders through the grove,
Whilst I return to view my Margaret’s tomb,
And scatter flowers on the dust I love.
2
Within this narrow cell reclines her clay,
That clay where once such animation beam’d;
The king of terrors seiz’d her as his prey,
Not worth, nor beauty, have her life redeem’d.
3
Oh! could that king of terrors pity feel,
Or Heaven reverse the dread decree of fate,
Not here the mourner would his grief reveal,
Not here the muse her virtues would relate.
4
But wherefore weep! her matchless spirit soars,
Beyond where aplendid shines the orb of day.
And weeping angels lead her to those bowers,
Where endless pleasures virtuous deeds repay.
5
And shall presumptuous mortals Heaven arraign!
And madly God-like Providence accuse!
Ah! no far fly from me attempts so vain,
I’ll ne’er submission to my God refuse.
6
Yet is remembrance of those virtues dear,
Yet fresh the memory of that beauteous face;
Still they call forth my warm affection’s tear.
Such sorrow brings me honour, not disgrace.4
1802.
Notes
4 The Author claims the indulgence of the reader, more for this piece, than, perhaps, any other in the collection; but as it was written at an earlier period than the rest, (being composed at the age of 14) and his first Essay, be preferred submitting it to the indulgence of his friends in its present state, to making either addition or alteration.