Poems (Hornblower)/Sonnet, to the Rev. W. H.
SONNET,TO THE REV. W. H———
Yes! go to other scenes! but do not fear
The voice of peace and love, so often heard
Within these walls, each pure and holy word
Breathed by thy lips, in other seasons here,
Shall fade within our hearts.—No, not in vain,
Here hast Thou raised for us the fervent prayer,
And bade our fainting spirits soar again
To heavenly hopes, and cast off mortal care,
Pointing our path to virtue and to bliss;
O! we will love the way thy steps have trod!
And thine own faith, thy trust, thy holiness,
Shall shine to guide us still—and from our God,
In these devoted hours, will we implore
A blessing on his lot, whom we may hear no more!
The voice of peace and love, so often heard
Within these walls, each pure and holy word
Breathed by thy lips, in other seasons here,
Shall fade within our hearts.—No, not in vain,
Here hast Thou raised for us the fervent prayer,
And bade our fainting spirits soar again
To heavenly hopes, and cast off mortal care,
Pointing our path to virtue and to bliss;
O! we will love the way thy steps have trod!
And thine own faith, thy trust, thy holiness,
Shall shine to guide us still—and from our God,
In these devoted hours, will we implore
A blessing on his lot, whom we may hear no more!