Classic Poem

THE dread Almighty fiat is fulfill'd,
And virtuous Tavistock submissive bows;
Serenely mild, performs what Heav'n has will'd,
Though long retarded by ten thousand vows.

For him, the mournful family of pain
Incessant rais'd to Heav'n the asking eye;
The hapless widow, and her orphan train;
With ardour pray'd their patron might not die.

For him, the tender father's heart was torn;
For him, the trembling mother vainly pray'd;
For him, fraternal friendship droops forlorn,
Nor dares give comfort, nor expects its aid.

For him, (but ah! can words describe her grief?)
A virtuous, tender wife, imploring Heav'n,
In speechless agony intreats relief,
And hopes the awful sentence yet's ungiv'n.

But what avails the fond, the vain request;
Who dares Almighty wisdom to arraign?
That pow'r, who form'd him, sent the dread behest,
And to the youth mature announc'd his claim.

Nor birth, nor titles, his all-seeing eye,
Who views the close recesses of the heart,
E'er estimates; those airy phantoms fly,
And in the purer spirit hold no part.

More glorious titles, T AVISTOCK , were thine;
Though born and bred in Fortune's downy nest,
An early votary at Virtue's shrine,
Of all thy honours sure thy heart was best.

That was to Heav'n a sacrifice refin'd,
Thy deeds like fragrant incense reach'd the skies;
And as too good to dwell with human kind,
Thy great rewarder bade thy spirit rise.

It mounting flew, on Seraphs' wings upborne,
And saw ætherial worlds with glad surprise;
Where 'midst the sons of ever-blooming morn,
Thy faithful Emily attracts thine eyes.

But O! forgive, bright shade, the impious lay,
That dares thy worth, that dares thy bliss depaint;
What mortal thought can heav'nly joys display,
Or speak the glowing raptures of the saint?

But may sweet Patience, smiling cherub, fly,
And from her bright abode with speed descend,
To wipe the bitter tear from Sorrow's eye,
And soothe the wife, the parent, sister, friend.

For great her might, by sacred Reason join'd,
To calm the passions, to subdue the will;
Hence flows submission, steady and resign'd,
That gilds, through varying life, the nauseous pill.

That healing pow'r will shew the blooming pair,
That lov'd, lamented T AVISTOCK bequeaths,
The tend'rest objects of parental care,
In whom, again, the noble father breathes.

There, there! illustrious partners of distress,
With doubled tenderness your cares employ;
Those dear deposits will your woes repress,
And bid your anxious bosoms feel new joy.