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From th' inoffenſive ſtream, unmindful now
Of all the flow'rs that paint the further bank,
And ſmil'd so ſweet of late. Thrice welcome death?
That after many a painful bleeding ſtep
Conducts us to our home, and lands as ſafe
On the long wiſh'd-for ſhore. ---Prodigious change
Our bane turn'd to a bleſſing! ---Death diſarm'd,
Loſes her ſelneſs quite: ---All thanks to him.
Who ſcourg'd the venom out. ---Sure the last end
Of the good man is peace!--- How calm his exit?
Night-dews fall not more gently to the ground,
Nor weary worn-out winds expire so ſoft.
Behold him in the evening-tide of life, die
A life well ſpent, whose early care it was
His riper years ſhould not upbraid his green:
By unperceiv'd degrees he wears away;
Yet, like the fun, seems larger at his ſetting
(High in his faith and hopes,) look how he reaches
After the prize in view! ---and, like a bird
That's hamper'd, ſtruggles hard to get away;
Whilst the glad gates of light are wide expanded,
To let new glories in, the first fair fruits
Of the faſt-coming harveſt. ---Then! ---Oh then!
Each earth-born joy grows vile, or diſappears,
Shrunk to a thing of nought--- Oh! how he longs
To have his paſſport ſign'd, and be diſmiſsed?
'Tis done? ---and now he's happy? ---the glad Soul
Has not a with uncrown'd.---Loin the lag Fleſh
Rests too in hope of meeting once again
Its better half, never to sunder more.
Nor ſhall it hope in vain. ---The time draws on
When not a ſingle ſpot of burial earth,
Whether on land, or in the ſpacious ſea,
But muſt give back its long committed duſt
Inviolete. ---And faithfully ſhall these
Make up the full account ---not the leaſt atom
Imbezzl'd or miſlaid, of the whole tale.
Each ſoul ſhall have a body ready furnish'd;
