Poems (Sewell)/On the Death of C. Pembroke, Esq.
ON THE DEATH OFCHARLES PEMBROKE, Esq.OF CHERTSEY.1802.
Whilst Sense and Genius mourn a patron fled,
And Friendship weeps him with the silent dead!
Whilst deeper anguish, with its keenest dart,
Has pierc'd, alas! the virtuous widow's heart!—
Let conscious Truth proclaim, with ardour due,
How nobly Pembroke from the world withdrew!
With gentle kindness, dignified, serene!
He cheer'd the mourners at his closing scene,—
And from his lips such precious accents flow'd,
As Love shall treasure to its last abode!
Ah! comfort there, with soothing charm shall dwell,
And heal the anguish of a last farewell!—
In that sad hour, when feeble Nature fails,
The Man, the Christian—and his God prevails!
Th' immortal soul, as conscious of its worth,
Inspires the last remains of feeble earth,
And shews some soft regret—as trav'llers cast,
A tender look o'er scenes they fondly pass'd,
But still a brighter home attracts their sight,
And calls them to the realms of purer light.
And Friendship weeps him with the silent dead!
Whilst deeper anguish, with its keenest dart,
Has pierc'd, alas! the virtuous widow's heart!—
Let conscious Truth proclaim, with ardour due,
How nobly Pembroke from the world withdrew!
With gentle kindness, dignified, serene!
He cheer'd the mourners at his closing scene,—
And from his lips such precious accents flow'd,
As Love shall treasure to its last abode!
Ah! comfort there, with soothing charm shall dwell,
And heal the anguish of a last farewell!—
In that sad hour, when feeble Nature fails,
The Man, the Christian—and his God prevails!
Th' immortal soul, as conscious of its worth,
Inspires the last remains of feeble earth,
And shews some soft regret—as trav'llers cast,
A tender look o'er scenes they fondly pass'd,
But still a brighter home attracts their sight,
And calls them to the realms of purer light.