Page:Memoir and poems of Phillis Wheatley, a native African and a slave.djvu/61

Rh But hear in heaven's blest bowers your Nancy fair,

And learn to imitate her language there.

"Thou, Lord, whom I behold with glory crowned,

"By what sweet name, and in what tuneful sound

"Wilt thou be praised? Seraphic: powers are faint,

"Infinite love and majesty to paint.

"To thee let all their grateful voices raise,

"And saints and angels join their songs of praise."

Perfect in bliss, she, from her heavenly home,

Looks down, and smiling, beckons you to come.

Why then, fond parents, why those fruitless groans?

Restrain your tears, and cease your plaintive moans.

Freed from a world of sin, and snares, and pain,

Why would you wish your daughter back again?

No—bow resigned; let hope your grief control,

And check the rising tumult of the soul.

Calm in the prosperous and adverse day,

Adore tho God who gives and takes away;

Eye him in all, his holy name revere;

Upright your actions, and your hearts sincere;

Till, having sailed through life's tempestuous sea,

And from its rocks, and boisterous billows free,

Yourselves safe landed on the blissful shore,

Shall join your happy babe to part no more.