Page:The Domestic Affections, and Other Poems.pdf/174



Explores, with fearful gaze, each mournful trace Of lingering sickness in the faded face; Thro' the sad night, when ev'ry hope is fled, Keeps her lone vigil by the suff'rer's bed; And starts each morn, as deeper marks declare The spoiler's hand—the blight of death—is there! He comes! now feebly in th' exhausted frame, Slow, languid, quiv'ring, burns the vital flame! From the glaz'd eye-ball sheds its parting ray, Dim, transient spark! that flutt'ring, fades away! Faint beats the hov'ring pulse, the trembling heart, Yet fond existence lingers—ere she part!

'Tis past! the struggle and the pang are o'er, And life shall throb with agony no more! While o'er the wasted form, the features pale, Death's awful shadows throw their silvery veil! Departed spirit! on this earthly sphere, Tho' poignant suff'ring mark'd thy short career;