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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 us safe
On the long-wish'd for shore.—Prodigious change!
Our bane turn'd to a blessing!———Death disarm'd
Looses her felness 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,
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 sun, 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 sight, 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 dismiss'd!
'Tis done! and now he's happy:—the glad Soul
Has not a wish uncrown'd.———Ev'n the lag Flesh
Rests too in Hope of meeting once again
Its better half, never to sunder more.
Nor stall 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
Inviolate;———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;