IN MEMORIAM.

By William Lisle Bowles

How blessed with thee the path could I have trod

Of quiet life, above cold want's hard fate,

( And little wishing more ) nor of the great

Envious, or their proud name; but it pleased GOD

To take thee to his mercy: thou didst go

In youth and beauty to thy cold death-bed;

Even whilst on dreams of bliss we fondly fed,

Of years to come of comfort! Be it so.

Ere this I have felt sorrow; and even now,

Though sometimes the unbidden tear will start,

And half unman the miserable heart,

The cold dew I shall wipe from my sad brow,

And say, since hopes of bliss on earth are vain,

Best friend, farewell, till we do meet again!