O thou! whose steps in sacred reverence tread <br />These lone dominions of the silent dead; <br />On this sad stone a pious look bestow, <br />Nor uninstructed read this tale of woe; <br />And while the sigh of sorrow heaves thy breast, <br />Let each rebellious murmur be suppress'd; <br />Heaven's hidden ways to trace, for us how vain! <br />Heaven's wise decrees, how impious to arraign! <br />Pure from the stains of a polluted age, <br />In early bloom of life they left the stage: <br />Not doom'd in lingering woe to waste their breath, <br />One moment snatch'd them from the power of Death: <br />They lived united, and united died; <br />Happy the friends whom Death cannot divide!<br /><br />James Beattie<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/epitaph-on-two-young-men-of-the-name-of-leitch-who-were-drowned-in-crossing-the-river-southesk/
