'TIS past: dear venerable shade, farewel! <br />Thy blameless life thy peaceful death shall tell. <br />Clear to the last thy setting orb has run; <br />Pure, bright, and healthy like a frosty sun: <br /> <br />And late old age with hand indulgent shed <br />Its mildest winter on thy favour'd head. <br />For Heaven prolong'd her life to spread its praise, <br />And blest her with a Patriarch's length of days. <br />The truest praise was hers, a chearful heart, <br />Prone to enjoy, and ready to impart. <br />An Israelite indeed, and free from guile, <br />She show'd that piety and age could smile. <br />Religion had her heart, her cares, her voice; <br />'Twas her last refuge, as her earlieft choice. <br />To holy Anna's spirit not more dear <br />The church of Israel, and the house of prayer. <br />Her spreading offspring of the fourth degree <br />Fill'd her fond arms, and clasp'd her trembling knee. <br />Matur'd at length for some more perfect scene, <br />Her hopes all bright, her prospects all serene, <br />Each part of life sustain'd with equal worth, <br />And not a wish left unfulfill'd on earth, <br /> <br />Like a tir'd traveller with sleep opprest, <br />Within her childrens' arms she dropt to rest. <br />Farewell! thy cherish'd image, ever dear, <br />Shall many a heart with pious love revere: <br />Long, long shall mine her honour'd memory bless, <br />Who gave the dearest blessing I possess.<br /><br />Anna Laetitia Barbauld<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-death-of-mrs-jennings-2/
