Thou wert unfit to dwell with clay, For sin too pure, for earth too bright! And death, who call'd thee hence away, Placed on his brow a gem of light!
A gem, whose brilliant glow is shed Beyond the ocean's swelling wave, Which gilds the memory of the dead, And pours its radiance on thy grave.
When day hath left his glowing car, And evening spreads her robe of love; When worlds, like travellers from afar, Meet in the azure fields above;
When all is still, and fancy's realm Is opening to the eager view, Mine eye full oft, in search of thee, Roams o'er that vast expanse of blue.
I know that here thy harp is mute, And quench'd the bright poetic fire, Yet still I bend my ear, to catch The hymnings of thy seraph lyre.
Oh! if this partial converse now So joyous to my heart can be, How must the streams of rapture flow When both are chainless, both are free!
When borne from earth for evermore, Our souls in sacred joy unite, At God's almighty throne adore, And bathe in beams of endless light!