If it be sad to speak of treasures gone, <br />Of sainted genius call'd too soon away, <br />Of light, from this world taken, while it shone <br />Yet kindling onward to the perfect day; <br />How shall our grief, if mournful these things be, <br />Flow forth, oh, Thou of many gifts! for thee? <br /> <br />Hath not thy voice been here amongst us heard? <br />And that deep soul of gentleness and power, <br />Have we not felt its breath in every word, <br />Wont from thy lip, as Hermon's dew, to shower? <br />Yes, in our hearts thy fervent thoughts have burn'd <br />Of heaven they were, and thither have return'd. <br /> <br />How shall we mourn thee? With a lofty trust, <br />Our life's immortal birthright from above! <br />With a glad faith, whose eye, to track the just, <br />Thro' shades and mysteries lifts a glance of love, <br />And yet can weep! for nature thus deplores <br />The friend that leaves us, tho' for happier shores. <br /> <br />And one high tone of triumph o'er thy bier, <br />One strain of solemn rapture be allow'd! <br />Thou, that rejoicing on thy mid career, <br />Not to decay, but unto death, hast bow'd; <br />In those bright regions of the rising sun, <br />Where victory ne'er a crown like thine had won. <br /> <br />Praise! for yet one more name with power endow'd, <br />To cheer and guide us, onward as we press; <br />Yet one more image on the heart bestow'd, <br />To dwell there, beautiful in holiness! <br />Thine, Heber, thine! whose memory from the dead, <br />Shines as the star which to the Saviour led. <br /> <br />ST. ASAPH, Sept. 1826.<br /><br />Felicia Dorothea Hemans<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-the-memory-of-heber/
