FROM dark abodes to fair etherial light <br />Th' enraptur'd innocent has wing'd her flight; <br />On the kind bosom of eternal love <br />She finds unknown beatitude above. <br />This known, ye parents, nor her loss deplore, <br />She feels the iron hand of pain no more; <br />The dispensations of unerring grace, <br />Should turn your sorrows into grateful praise; <br />Let then no tears for her henceforward flow, <br />No more distress'd in our dark vale below, <br /> Her morning sun, which rose divinely bright, <br />Was quickly mantled with the gloom of night; <br />But hear in heav'n's blest bow'rs your Nancy fair, <br />And learn to imitate her language there. <br />"Thou, Lord, whom I behold with glory crown'd, <br />"By what sweet name, and in what tuneful sound <br />"Wilt thou be prais'd? Seraphic pow'rs are faint <br />"Infinite love and majesty to paint. <br />"To thee let all their graceful voices raise, <br />"And saints and angels join their songs of praise." <br /> Perfect in bliss she from her heav'nly home <br />Looks down, and smiling beckons you to come; <br />Why then, fond parents, why these fruitless groans? <br />Restrain your tears, and cease your plaintive moans. <br />Freed from a world of sin, and snares, and pain, <br />Why would you wish your daughter back again? <br />No--bow resign'd. Let hope your grief control, <br />And check the rising tumult of the soul. <br />Calm in the prosperous, and adverse day, <br />Adore the God who gives and takes away; <br />Eye him in all, his holy name revere, <br />Upright your actions, and your hearts sincere, <br />Till having sail'd through life's tempestuous sea, <br />And from its rocks, and boist'rous billows free, <br />Yourselves, safe landed on the blissful shore, <br />Shall join your happy babe to part no more.<br /><br />Phillis Wheatley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-death-of-a-young-lady-of-five-years-of-ag/
