On the Death of Dr Blackburne

Say , shall my humble muse her tribute pay,
And tune her theme to Blackburne's breathless clay?
Alas! how weak, how feeble is her skill,
Unequal to the task she would fulfil,
For when his matchless worth she strives to paint,
Her strokes are languid, and her colours faint;
How far beneath thy worth thou best of men,
Whose praise deserves the ablest poet's pen.
But, Oh illustrious shade! if, after death
Ethereal spirits know what pass on earth,
Forgive the weak attempt that would impart
The sympathetic feelings of my heart;
Oh! whilst superior bards thy praise proclaim,
And crown thy memory with a wreath of fame,
May this small shoot amid the chaplet grow,
Tho' faint its verdure where such colours glow;
Tho' even amidst the bright assemblage lost,
It still sincerity, at least, may boast.
Hail wond'rous man! tho' now, alas, no more!
See weeping multitudes his loss deplore!
Ask, why on every face that solemn gloom?
'Tis Blackburne's fall'n a victim to the tomb!
" Blackburne is dead, " each mournful voice resounds,
Whilst objects of distress lament around;
Objects he once thought worthy of his care.
For him, to heav'n, they rais'd each ardent pray'r;
Kindly he both apply'd his healing art,
To quell disease, and sooth the aching heart,
To bid each throbbing sorrow cease to flow,
And alleviate the chearless haunts of woe:
Each social virtue in his breast combin'd,
And shed philanthropy o'er all mankind;
His feeling heart could melt at every grief,
Misery in vain ne'er pleaded for relief;
His generous kindness could each woe beguile,
And caused the bleak abodes of want to smile.
But ah! relentless fate has snatch'd him forth,
Regardless of his virtue and his worth;
Regardless did I say? unjust, untrue,
'Twas great regard, if we the scene review;
She snatch'd him but to greater heights to rise,
And shine with brighter radiance in the skies;
Those virtues which here shone with beaming ray.
There blaze refulgent in a flood of day.
Translation: 
Language: 
Rate this poem: 

Reviews

No reviews yet.