Page:Tales and Historic Scenes.pdf/193

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Of life's past woes, the fading trace Hath given that aged patriarch's face Expression holy, deep, resign'd, The calm sublimity of mind. Years o'er his snowy head have pass'd, And left him of his race the last; Alone on earth—yet still his mien Is bright with majesty serene; And those high hopes, whose guiding-star Shines from th' eternal worlds afar, Have with that light illumed his eye, Whose fount is immortality, And o'er his features pour'd a ray Of glory, not to pass away. He seems a being who hath known Communion with his God alone, On earth by nought but pity's tie Detain'd a moment from on high! One to sublimer worlds allied, One, from all passion purified, E'en now half mingled with the sky, And all prepared—oh not to die— But, like the prophet, to aspire, In heaven's triumphal car of fire.