Poems (Charlotte Allen)/On the Death of Mrs. S. A. H.

by Charlotte Allen

ON THE DEATH OF MRS. S. A. H. 

"Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." Holy Writ.

Once more the archer bent his bow,
 Again his arrow sped,
While deep and heavy fell the blow,
 On the now widowed head.

By an unseen, unerring hand,
 Was aimed the fatal stroke,
That thus among that happy band,
 Another chord hath broke.

Though wrapt in sadness was the hour
 When her pure spirit passed;
Yet Heaven gained another flower,
 And "dust to dust" hath cast.

Oh, Death! "insatiate monarch!" thou
 Hast won another prize;
To thee all human hearts must bow,
 Thou break'st the fondest ties.

One after one we see depart,
 Link after link is broken;
Nought can avert Death's mystic art,
 When God's behest is spoken.

Oh, Thou who hear'st the "raven's cry,"
 And mark'st the "sparrow's fall,"
Look down with thy all-pitying eye,
 And hear the mourner's call.

Thy soothing influence impart
 To each afflicted breast
The motherless, the stricken heart,
 Calm with thy holy zest.

Mysterious are Heaven's decrees,
 The future, none can scan;
We see not as Our Father sees,
 Know not His mighty plan.

'T is our's to bear with humble love,
 Whatever griefs surround;
Resigned, to feel the hand above,
 Blesses, while it doth wound.