130 DEPARTURE OF MRS. HANNAH MORE.
Twining with tenderest ties
Of hoarded memories,
Green bower and quiet walk and vine wreath 'd spot : Hark ! where the cypress waves Above their peaceful graves, Seems not some echo on the gale to rise ? " O, sister, leave us not ! "
Her lingering footstep stays Upon that threshold stone, And o'er the pictur'd wall, her farewell ga/e Rests on the portraits, one by one, Of treasur'd friends, before her gone To that bright world of bliss where partings are unknown.
The wintry snows That fourscore years disclose,
When slow to life's last verge, Time's lonely chariot goes, Are on her temples ; and her features meek
Subdued and silent sorrow speak ; Yet still her arm in cheerful trust doth lean On faithful friendship's prop, that changeless evergreen.
Like Eve, from Paradise, she goes, Yet not by guilt involv'd in woes. Nor driven by angel bands, The flaming sword is planted at her gate By menial hands :
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