Page:Felicia Hemans in The Christian Examiner 1827.pdf/5



We miss thy voice while early flowers are blowing, And the first flush of blossom clothes each bough, And the spring sunshine round our home is glowing, Soft as thy smile—thou shouldst be with us now!

With us!—we wrong thee by the earthly thought— Could our fond gaze but follow where thou art, Well might the glories of this world seem nought To the one promise given the pure in heart.

Yet wert thou blest e'en here—oh! ever blest In thine own sunny thoughts and tranquil faith;— The silent joy that still o'erflowed thy breast, Needed but guarding from all change, by death.

So is it sealed to peace!—on thy clear brow Never was care one fleeting shade to cast, And thy calm days in brightness were to flow, A holy stream, untroubled to the last!

Farewell! thy life hath left surviving love A wealth of records and sweet 'feelings given,’ From sorrow's heart the faintness to remove, By whispers breathing 'less of earth than heaven.'*

Thus rests thy spirit still on those with whom Thy step the paths of joyous duty trod, Bidding them make an altar of thy tomb, Where chastened thought may offer praise to God!