Though short thy space, God's unimpeach'd decrees <br />Which made that shorten'd space one long disease; <br />Yet, merciful in chast'ning, gave thee scope <br />For mild redeeming virtues, faith and hope, <br />Meek resignation, pious charity; <br />And, since this world was not the world for thee, <br />Far from thy path removed, with partial care, <br />Strife, glory, gain, and pleasure's flowery snare, <br />Bade earth's temptation's pass thee harmless by. <br />And fix'd on heaven thine unreverted eye! <br />Oh! mark'd from birth, and nurtured for the skies! <br />In youth with more than learning's wisdom wise! <br />As sainted martyrs, patient to endure! <br />Simple as unwean'd infancy, and pure! <br />Pure from all stain (save that of human clay, <br />Which Christ's suff'rings now no more oppress'd, <br />Mount, sinless spirit, to thy destined rest! <br />While I - reversed our nature's kindlier doom - <br />Pour forth a father's sorrows on thy tomb.<br /><br />George Canning<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-death-of-his-eldest-son/
