Poems (Rice)/Lines suggested on reading the sudden Death of Miss P. A. P.

by Maria Theresa Rice

LINES  SUGGESTED ON READING THE SUDDEN DEATH OF MISS P. A. P.

MOURN not for your loved one,
 Her spirit will live;
Not the gem but the casket
 To earth you must give—
Ere the rose-leaves had faded
 From her spirit's young dream;
Her virtues, so spotless,
 In Heaven will beam.

Weep not for your loved one,
 She's gone to her rest;
Lay flowers, sweet flowers,
 On her innocent breast;
For seraphs are keeping
 Their watch o'er her now—
I see their smiles playing
 On her sinless young brow.

And you, stricken school-mates,
 While bending in prayer,
Though her presence has left you,
 Her spirit's still there;
Her voice, though, no more
 Shall be blended with thine,—
Prepare now to meet her,
 For you know not the time.

Weep not for your loved one,
 You'll soon meet again;
She passed through the vale
 Without sorrow or pain:
Then lift up your voices,
 Bend not to the blow,
The Saviour can heal
 All your bleeding hearts now.