Foreboding not how soon he must depart; Unweeting that to him the joy was given Which good men take with them from earth to heaven. XIII. 1814. ELEGIAC STANZAS. (ADDRESSED TO SIR G. H. B. UPON THE DEATH OF HIS SISTER-IN-LAW.) 1824. O FOR a dirge! But why complain? To twine around the Christian's brows, Whose glorious work is done. We pay a high and holy debt; No tears of passionate regret Ill-worthy, Beaumont! were the grief Sad doom, at Sorrow's shrine to kneel, And impotent to bear! 5 IO 15 Such once was hers-to think and think On severed love, and only sink From anguish to despair! But nature to its inmost part Faith had refined; and to her heart 20 Calm as the dew-drop's, free to rest Was ever Spirit that could bend So promptly from her lofty throne ?— Pale was her hue; yet mortal cheek When aught that breathes had felt a wound; But hushed be every thought that springs Her quiet is secure ; No thorns can pierce her tender feet, As snowdrop on an infant's grave, Or lily heaving with the wave That feeds it and defends; As Vesper, ere the star hath kissed The mountain top, or breathed the mist That from the vale ascends. Thou takest not away, O Death! Thou strikest absence perisheth, The future brightens on our sight; 25 30 35 40 45 50 XIV. ELEGIAC MUSINGS. IN THE GROUNDS OF COLEORTON HALL, THE SEAT OF THE LATE SIR G. H. BEAUMONT, BART. In these grounds stands the Parish Church, wherein is a mural monument bearing an Inscription which, in deference to the earnest request of the deceased, is confined to name, dates, and these words:"Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord!" WITH copious eulogy in prose or rhyme Yet here at least, though few have numbered days That shunned so modestly the light of praise, His graceful manners, and the temperate ray Of that arch fancy which would round him play, 10 Brightening a converse never known to swerve From courtesy and delicate reserve; That sense, the bland philosophy of life, Which checked discussion ere it warmed to strife; 14 Those rare accomplishments, and varied powers, 20 25 A poet's heart; and, for congenial view, More than theatric force to Shakspeare's scene; If thou hast heard me- -if thy Spirit know Aught of these bowers and whence their pleasures flow; 35 If things in our remembrance held so dear, And thoughts and projects fondly cherished here, To thy exalted nature only seem Time's vanities, light fragments of earth's dream 40 Rebuke us not!-The mandate is obeyed That said, "Let praise be mute where I am laid;" 45 The holier deprecation, given in trust 55 When towers and temples fall, to speak of Thee! If sculptured emblems of our mortal doom Recall not there the wisdom of the Tomb, Green ivy risen from out the cheerful earth Will fringe the lettered stone; and herbs spring forth, Whose fragrance, by soft dews and rain unbound, Shall penetrate the heart without a wound; While truth and love their purposes fulfil, 60 Commemorating genius, talent, skill, That could not lie concealed where Thou wert known; Thy virtues He must judge, and He alone, The God upon whose mercy they are thrown. Nov., 1830. XV. WRITTEN AFTER THE DEATH OF CHARLES LAMB. To a good Man of most dear memory bread, To the strict labours of the merchant's desk 5 sweet |