Affecting scene! while recollection last,
I’ll trace the parting of our sad adieu;
Dwell on those scenes that are for ever past,
Tho’ in my mind it troubles fresh renew.
Just before death had wield the fatal blow,
That stops the power of utterance or sigh;
She with a voice angelic soft and low,
Cried, Lord! forgive me e’er my spirit fly.
Oft have I seen my virtuous parent stray,
O’er her lov’d garden pensive and forlorn;
To cull the flowers each succeeding day,
And view the beauties of a summer’s morn.
Scarce did the flower adorn the spot around,
But her hand planted in its proper place;
No fonder lover of those sweets were found,
While she their beauties in her mind cou’d trace.
Three days before her suffering were o’er,
She crav’d assistance to her favourite spot;
And said my roses I shall see no more,
And when I’m absent they will be forgot.
But for her sake a faithful servant toil,
To free the flowers from weeds from morn till night;
Or bring fresh water to the thirsty soil,
To that lov’d spot that gave her oft delight.
Anticipation to the panting heart,
Convey’d the dread decree of fate’s ordain;
To say she must from earthly scenes depart,
And not to them for ever turn again,
Meekness thro’ life had mark’d her for her care,
While resignation claim’d her for her own;
Sometimes her mind wou’d cheerful still appear,
And strive to stifle pain’s afflicting groan.
Oh God! she cried, thy mercy let me crave,
Till life’s short span is taken quite away;
Then may I rest at peace within the grave,
To wait thy summons for the awful day.
Scarce had religion brought sweet hope, to aid
The virtuous victim in the pangs of death;
When soft a guardian angel gently said,
You’ll dwell with me when time extinguish breath.