And sudden from the yawning ground The astonished dead awake, Her faith-plumed wings she will afford To waft thee to the skies, There from thy Saviour and thy Lord HINDERWELL. SERENE DEATH. Oh! might I choose how I should die, And pass above; It were with those companions by, Whom most I love: And if a tear fell on my face From some fond eye, I would it fell inspired by grace,—— By faith each sigh: So that the pang weak creatures feel A moment o'er the face might steal, Near me a soft low voice should raise Some holy air; Some farewell vesper song of praise, Or verse of prayer. It were a pleasant thing to think, In yon bright seat, The sounds I heard on Earth's last brink, Were hymn notes sweet. The links of nature gently falling, The soul all calm ; Here nothing could be found appalling Death like a balm! In Death like this to pass away, How sweet a thing! And even in its grasp to say, 'Death has no sting!' EDMESTON. STANZAS WRITTEN AFTER VISITING WESTON FAVELL, AND THE TOMB OF HERVEY. From Granta's classic shades, and antique tow'rs, In mournful murmurs thro' th' enamell'd glade, To seek that solemn, consecrated spot! Where once great Hervey! free from worldly strife, Enjoy'd the parish pastor's humble lot, And led his rural charge to streams of life. Where oft when red-wing'd dawn flush'd o'er the east, Ere slumb'ring hinds had left the moss-roof'd shed, In ev'ry star-like gem, or op'ning bell, The flow'ry tribes to his deep-searching eye, The rolling systems of the blue-coped sky, In brighter constellations for him rose. Celestial worlds, his penetrating gaze From his exalted mind ne'er ought conceal'd. For him the blazing comet's devious course And gild his page with glory's brightest sun! For him terrific Death new forms assumed, The grave her dreary caverns did disclose, |