Classic Poem

If ever human worth deserv'd a tear,
O Elsdon! let us drop it on thy byer;
For sure thy various virtues, when combin'd,
Demand this tribute from each feeling mind.
His honest, gen'rous soul, from falshood clear,
His conduct blameless, open and sincere,
In one united character did blend
The pious christian, and the stedfast friend.
Remote from courts, exempt from noisy strife,
He stole along the vale of humble life;
Domestic cares his chief, his greatest joy,
Did al his vacant, leisure hours employ.
What tender feeling heart but warm'd to see
His harmless infants, prattling round his knee?
Whilst fond, paternal triumphs fir'd his blood,
And all the father in his aspect glow'd.
But Providence thought proper to remove
Him from those scenes of innocence and love;
And left his widow'd part'ner, here, forlorn,
In weeping strains the mighty loss to mourn,
But cease to mourn, your loss to him is gain;
For ever freed from sorrow, and from pain,
He dwells above in bliss without alloy,
Where all is one unbounded scene of joy.