136
Oh! I have seen you with a saint-like smile, Though sickly sorrow wore your life away,With cheering praise your pupils' tasks beguile, And charm each lurking evil fear away:And many a heart with mine will now attest, How priz'd your ceaseless care at such a time;When she, the loveliest, dearest, and the best, Was snatch'd away by Death, in beauty's early prime!
Oh, most respected! and, oh, best belov'd! What arm'd your soul to bear such heavy grief?—'Twas pious faith, and meek religion, prov'd Your certain solace, and your sure relief:Nor your's alone—you spread the blessing round, And lifted up our youthful hearts to heav'n;And in your bright example still we found How good and lovely ev'ry precept giv'n!And in your moral page shall others find Whate'er improves or dignifies the soul;Shall learn to form and mould the infant mind, And free the lovely babe from terror's false controul.
The youthful mother with delight shall read, And make each useful maxim there her own;While pow'rful nature in her breast shall plead, To tend herself the precious charge alone:No hireling's breast her baby's cheek shall press, Her children's plaint no other voice shall still;No other soothe their infantine distress, Or check, with tend'rest care, the froward will.
