Page:Hemans Miscellaneous Poetry 3.pdf/7



And thou, loved spirit! for the skies mature, Steadfast in faith, in meek devotion pure; Thou that didst make the home thy presence bless'd Bright with the sunshine of thy gentle breast, Where peace a holy dwelling-place had found, Whence beam'd her smile benignantly around; Thou, that to bosoms widow'd and bereft Dear, precious records of thy worth hast left, The treasured gem of sorrowing hearts to be, Till heaven recall surviving love to thee!

O cherish'd and revered! fond memory well On thee, with sacred, sad delight, may dwell! So pure, so blest thy life, that Death alone Could make more perfect happiness thine own. He came: thy cup of joy, serenely bright, Full to the last, still flow'd in cloudless light; He came—an angel, bearing from on high The all it wanted—Immortality!