Classic Poem

Presented to a certain Lady of Quality, upon the Death of her eldest Daughter.

I.

Muse attend, disrob'd of Smiles,
Quit, oh! quit thy sportive Wiles;
'Tis a gloomy, dreary Day,
Now demands a plaintive Lay.

II.

Muse in elegiac Strain,
Sooth a noble Mother's Pain;
Lend thy philosophic Art,
Calm her Grief-distracted Heart.

III.

Pre-ordain'd at very Birth,
To sojourn but a Time on Earth;
Some, are giv'n Length of Date,
Others, snatch'd by early Fate,

IV.

To Heav'n's high Will submissive bend,
To Souls resign'd a constant Friend;
'Tis ours to bear Affliction's Rod —
A Murmur, is Offence to God !

V.

Rest, thou afflicted Matron, rest,
Trust me, whatever is " I S BEST ; "
A duteous Daughter you deplore,
Thank Heav'n you still possess a Store.

VI.

And, lo! a noble Son appears,
Full fraught with Worth in early Years;
May a long Train of happy Days
Protect his Life, advance his Praise.