Thus musing thro' the lonely isle I stray'd, Recall'd the wonders of his matchless pow'rs, And many a former scene in thought survey'd, While all unheeded pass'd the silent hours. With mournful awe I trod the sacred stones, Now sunk the last faint beam of closing day, sound, All, all was silent as the sleeping clay, And darkness spread her sable veil around, At once, methought, a more than midnight gloom With death-like horror chill'd my throbbing breast, When lo a voice deep murmuring from the tomb These awful accents on my soul impress'd : "Vain are the glories of a nation's praise, "The boast of wit, the pride of genius, vain; "A long long night succeeds the transient blaze, "Where darkness, solitude, and silence, reign. "The shouts of loud applause which thousands gave, "On me, nor pride, nor pleasure now bestow* Like the chill blast that murmurs o'er my grave, They pass away-nor reach the dust below. "One virtuous deed, to all the world unknown, "Outweighs the highest bliss which these can give, "Can cheer the soul when youth and strength are flown, "In sickness triumph, and in death survive. "What tho' to thee, in life's remotest sphere, "Nor Nature's gifts, nor Fortune's are consign'd, "Let brightest prospects to thy soul appear, "And hopes immortal elevate thy mind. "The sculptur'd marble shall dissolve in dust, "And fame, and wealth, and honours, pass away: Not such the triumphs of the good and just, "Not such the glories of eternal day. "These, these shall live, when ages are no more, "With never-fading lustre still shall shine :"Go then, to Heaven devote thy utmost pow'r, "And know, whoe'er thou art, the prize is thime." ALWYN AND RENA... Ask you, why round yon hallow'd grave O cease, my love, these fond alarms !" Yes, I will check this struggling sighs; 66 My bosom shall dispel its fears" You try, indeed, to force a smile, "Yet sorrow's drops bedew your cheeks; You speak of peace,-yet ah ! the while "Your tears will scarcely let you speak!"" Go, Alwyn, Rena bids thee go, "She bids thee seek the field of death! Go, Alwyn, rush amidst the foe, "Go, and return with Viet'ry's wreath !""" thrilling blast the trumpet blew, The milk-white courser paw'd the ground;: mixt delight young Alwyn knew, But Rena shudder'd at the sound! et strove to hide the rising fears, Which now with double fury swell; d, faintly smiling thro' her tears, She faulter'd out a long farewell. ree tedious moons with cheerless ray Had vainly gilt the face of night, -r yet the hero took his way To bless his drooping Rena's sight.. At length, thro' Rena's fav'rite grove Distracted at the blasting sight, To yonder tall cliff's bending brow, But while with steady gaze she view'd And whisper'd to her soul," Forbear." And now the storm of grief was o'er ; Nor ceas'd 'till life's warm springs were dry.. For this, around yon hallow'd grave ON A DYING FRIEND. REST, gentle spirit, from thy mortal strife, known, Though these in ample measure were thy own, Cancels the long arrear of pain and tears; Of all thy various worth the tender thought; LINES Written for the Use of a bereaved and afflicted Lady.-Rev. John Marriott, Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.-1st Peter, chap. v. verse 7. FOR me! Was it rightly I heard? |