Poems (Sewell)/To the Memory of Miss C. W.
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MISS C. W * * * *1792.
TOTHE MEMORY OF
Farewell! Sweet Maid! each flatt'ring hope is o'er
Never—oh never, shall I view thee more!
As some fair lilly, but of transient worth,
Droops from its sever'd stalk to silent earth,
Such didst thou seem, when first my anxious view
Beheld thy form! so fair and fading too!
Alas! 'twas thine, unconscious to impart
The kindest wishes to a stranger's heart!
Mild Diffidence, with sweet retiring Grace,
Beam'd on the features of thy lovely face;
And heav'nly Patience cast its ray serene,
O'er the pale langour of thy artless mien.
Thy fleeting charms ev'n Envy might subdue,
Affliction touch'd them with so soft a hue!—
Oh, gentle Charlotte! cou'dst thou fail to move?
Compassion view'd thee with a sister's love,
And melting Sympathy enforc'd thy claim,
To ev'ry wish compris'd in Friendship's name:
The heart that feels it—that alone can tell,
The nameless anguish of a last farewell!
Never—oh never, shall I view thee more!
As some fair lilly, but of transient worth,
Droops from its sever'd stalk to silent earth,
Such didst thou seem, when first my anxious view
Beheld thy form! so fair and fading too!
Alas! 'twas thine, unconscious to impart
The kindest wishes to a stranger's heart!
Mild Diffidence, with sweet retiring Grace,
Beam'd on the features of thy lovely face;
And heav'nly Patience cast its ray serene,
O'er the pale langour of thy artless mien.
Thy fleeting charms ev'n Envy might subdue,
Affliction touch'd them with so soft a hue!—
Oh, gentle Charlotte! cou'dst thou fail to move?
Compassion view'd thee with a sister's love,
And melting Sympathy enforc'd thy claim,
To ev'ry wish compris'd in Friendship's name:
The heart that feels it—that alone can tell,
The nameless anguish of a last farewell!
Oh, gentle Hope! thy soft and trembling light,
No more shall now delude my anxious sight;
That pleasing form, which once its cares employ'd,
Has left around a dark and dismal void!
Methinks its semblance, but with softer grace,
Gleams with faint lustre o'er this mournful place!
By purer, heav'nly beams it seems to shine,
And all its native graces grow divine!—
Oh! may it thus a clear refulgence shed,
Round the pale visions of a parent's bed!
And kindly sooth the agonizing pain,
Which gen'rous Friendship wou'd suspend in vain.
No more shall now delude my anxious sight;
That pleasing form, which once its cares employ'd,
Has left around a dark and dismal void!
Methinks its semblance, but with softer grace,
Gleams with faint lustre o'er this mournful place!
By purer, heav'nly beams it seems to shine,
And all its native graces grow divine!—
Oh! may it thus a clear refulgence shed,
Round the pale visions of a parent's bed!
And kindly sooth the agonizing pain,
Which gen'rous Friendship wou'd suspend in vain.
Whilst Sympathy, dear maid, laments thy doom,
And all the Graces weep around thy tomb,
Whilst Love maternal yields its precious trust,
And Beauty casts her blossoms in the dust,
May pure Religion send its ray serene,
O'er the pale horrors of the cheerless scene!
That Power alone, benignant can supply
The fatal blank which meets a Father's eye!—
That Sacred Pow'r, which soothes impetuous strife,
The throbs of Misery and the storms of Life,
Ev'n in the Grave can blooming Hope prepare,
And save its votary from destruction there!
And all the Graces weep around thy tomb,
Whilst Love maternal yields its precious trust,
And Beauty casts her blossoms in the dust,
May pure Religion send its ray serene,
O'er the pale horrors of the cheerless scene!
That Power alone, benignant can supply
The fatal blank which meets a Father's eye!—
That Sacred Pow'r, which soothes impetuous strife,
The throbs of Misery and the storms of Life,
Ev'n in the Grave can blooming Hope prepare,
And save its votary from destruction there!