"From out their substance issuing, maintain 66 Herbage that never fails; no grass springs up "So green, so fresh, so plentiful, as mine!" See, in this well conditioned Soul, a Third The mutual aptitude of seed and soil That yields such kindly product. He-whose bed poor Pensioner Perhaps yon loose sods cover, the Brought yesterday from our sequestered dell If living now, could otherwise report Of rustic loneliness: that grey-haired Orphan— So call him, for humanity to him No parent was-could feelingly have told, In life, in death, what Solitude can breed Of selfishness, and cruelty, and vice; Or, if it breed not, hath not power to cure. —But your compliance, Sir! with our request Undeterred, Perhaps incited rather, by these shocks, In no ungracious opposition, given To Reason's mandates; and the hopes divine To Charity, and Love; that have provided, And evil, to the just and the unjust; In which they find an equal resting-place: A And streams, whose murmur fills this hollow vale, Whether their course be turbulent or smooth, Their waters clear or sullied, all are lost Within the bosom of yon chrystal Lake, And end their journey in the same repose! And blest are they who sleep; and we that know, While in a spot like this we breathe and walk, And gathering all within their tender shade, A rueful sight the wild shore strewn with wrecks Of friends and kindred, whom the angry Sea Restores not to their prayer! Ah! who would think That all the scattered subjects which compose Earth's melancholy vision through the space Of all her climes; these wretched-these depraved, To virtue lost, insensible of peace, From the delights of charity cut off, To pity dead-the Oppressor and the Oppressed; And Slaves who will consent to be destroyed; Were of one species with the sheltered few, Who with a dutiful and tender hand Did lodge, in an appropriated spot, This file of Infants; some that never breathed The vital air; and others, who, allowed Or with too brief a warning, to admit That lovingly consigns the Babe to the arms Of Jesus, and his everlasting care. These that in trembling hope are laid apart; Of Infancy first blooms upon his cheek; The thinking, thoughtless School-boy; the bold Youth Of soul impetuous, and the bashful Maid Smitten while all the promises of life Are opening round her; those of middle age, Cast down while confident in strength they stand, Various; but unto each some tribute paid; And gentle "Nature grieved that One should die ;" Observed the liberating stroke-and blessed. -And whence that tribute? wherefore these regards? Not from the naked Heart alone of Man (Though framed to high distinction upon earth His own peculiar utterance for distress |