Page:Grave, a poem, or, A view of life, death and immortality.pdf/23

 From th' inoffenſive ſtream, unmindful now Of all the flow'rs that paint the further bank, And ſmil'd so ſweet of late. Thrice welcome death? That after many a painful bleeding ſtep Conducts us to our home, and lands as ſafe On the long wiſh'd-for ſhore. ---Prodigious change Our bane turn'd to a bleſſing! ---Death diſarm'd, Loſes her ſelneſs quite: ---All thanks to him. Who ſcourg'd the venom out. ---Sure the last end Of the good man is peace!--- How calm his exit? Night-dews fall not more gently to the ground, Nor weary worn-out winds expire so ſoft. Behold him in the evening-tide of life, die A life well ſpent, whose early care it was His riper years ſhould not upbraid his green: By unperceiv'd degrees he wears away; Yet, like the fun, seems larger at his ſetting (High in his faith and hopes,) look how he reaches After the prize in view! ---and, like a bird That's hamper'd, ſtruggles hard to get away; Whilst the glad gates of light are wide expanded, To let new glories in, the first fair fruits Of the faſt-coming harveſt. ---Then! ---Oh then! Each earth-born joy grows vile, or diſappears, Shrunk to a thing of nought--- Oh! how he longs To have his paſſport ſign'd, and be diſmiſsed? 'Tis done? ---and now he's happy? ---the glad Soul Has not a with uncrown'd.---Loin the lag Fleſh Rests too in hope of meeting once again Its better half, never to sunder more. Nor ſhall it hope in vain. ---The time draws on When not a ſingle ſpot of burial earth, Whether on land, or in the ſpacious ſea, But muſt give back its long committed duſt Inviolete. ---And faithfully ſhall these Make up the full account ---not the leaſt atom Imbezzl'd or miſlaid, of the whole tale. Each ſoul ſhall have a body ready furnish'd;