FROM NEW YEAR'S EVE, 1828
(See Letter 467, page 841)
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."
Genesis.
Through proudly through the vaulted sky
Was borne Elisha's sire,
And dazzling unto mortal eye
His car and steeds of fire:
To me as glorious seems the change
Accorded to thy worth;
As instantaneous and as strange
Thy exit from this earth.
Something which wakes a deeper thrill,
These few brief words unfold,
Than all description's proudest skill
Could of that hour have told.
Fancy's keen eye may trace the course
Elijah held on high:
The car of flame, each fiery horse,
Her visions may supply;—
But THY transition mocks each dream
Framed by her wildest power,
Nor can her mastery supreme
Conceive thy parting hour.
Were angels, with expanded wings,
As guides and guardians given?
Or did sweet sounds from seraphs' strings
Waft thee from earth to heaven?