CONSTANCY.

Dearest love! when thy God shall recall thee,

Be this record inscribed on thy tomb:

Truth, and gratitude, well may applaud thee,

And all thy past virtues relume.

It shall tell — to thy sex's proud honour,

Of sufferings and trials severe,

While still, through protracted affliction,

Not a murmur escaped; but the tear

Of resignment to Heaven's high dictates,

‘ Twas thine, like a martyr, to shed:

That heart — all affection for others —

For thyself, uncomplainingly, bled.

Midst the storms, which misfortune had gather'd,

What an angel thou wert unto me;

In that hour, when all friendship seem'd sever'd,

Thou didst bloom like the ever-green tree!

All was gloom; and in vain had I striven,

For hope ceased a ray to impart;

When thou cam'st, like a meteor from heaven,

And gave peace to my desolate heart!