Though firm in God the Spirit holds her trust,
The flesh is frail, and trembles into dust.
Horror and anguish seize me ;-'tis the hour
Of darkness, and I mourn beneath its power;
The Tempter plies me with his direst art,
I feel the Serpent coiling round my heart;
He stirs the wound he once inflicted there,
Instils the deadening poison of despair,
Belies the truth of God's delaying grace,
And bids me curse my Maker to his face.
-I will not curse Him, though his grace delay:
I will not cease to trust Him, though He slay;
Full on his promised mercy I rely,

For God hath spoken,-God, who cannot lie.
-THOU, of my faith the Author and the End!
Mine early, late, and everlasting Friend!
The joy, that once thy presence gave, restore
Ere I am summon'd hence, and seen no more:
Down to the dust returns this earthly frame,
Receive my Spirit, Lord! from whom it came;
Rebuke the Tempter, show thy power to save,
O let thy glory light me to the grave,
That these, who witness my departing breath,
May learn to triumph in the grasp of Death.'

"He closed his eyelids with a tranquil smile,
And seem'd to rest in silent prayer awhile:
Around his couch with filial awe we kneel'd,
When suddenly a light from heaven reveal'd
A Spirit, that stood within the unopen'd door;-
The sword of God in his right hand he bore;
His countenance was lightning, and his vest
Like snow at sunrise on the mountain's crest;
Yet so benignly beautiful his form,
His presence still'd the fury of the storm;
At once the winds retire, the waters cease;
His look was love, his salutation 'Peace!'

"Our mother first beheld him, sore amazed, But terror grew to transport while she gazed:

"Tis He, the Prince of Seraphim, who drove Our banish'd feet from Eden's happy grove ;* Adam, my Life, my Spouse, awake!' she cried; 'Return to Paradise; behold thy Guide!

O let me follow in this dear embrace!'
She sunk, and on his bosom hid her face.
Adam look'd up; his visage changed its hue,
Transform'd into an angel's at the view:

I come!' he cried, with faith's full triumph fired,
And in a sigh of ecstasy expired.

The light was vanish'd, and the vision fled;
We stood alone, the living with the dead;
The ruddy embers, glimmering round the room,
Display'd the corpse amidst the solemn gloom;
But o'er the scene a holy calm reposed,

The gate of heaven had open'd there, and closed.
"Eve's faithful arm still clasp'd her lifeless Spouse;
Gently I shook it from her trance to rouse;

She gave no answer; motionless and cold,

It fell like clay from my relaxing hold;
Alarm'd, I lifted up the locks of gray

That hid her cheek; her soul had pass'd away:

A beauteous corse she graced her partner's side,
Love bound their lives, and Death could not divide.
"Trembling astonishment of grief we felt,
Till Nature's sympathies began to melt;

We wept in stillness through the long, dark night;
-And oh how welcome was the morning light!"

* Paradise Lost, book xi. v. 238.