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I read,—how in his manhood's earlier day
He, 'mid the afflictions of intestine War
And rightful Government subverted, found
One only solace, that he had espoused
A virtuous Lady tenderly beloved
For her benign perfections: and for this
Yet more endeared to him, that in her state
Of wedlock richly crowned with heaven's regard,
She with a numerous Issue filled his House,
Who throve, like Plants, uninjured by the Storm
That laid their Country waste. No need to speak
Of less particular notices assigned
To Youth or Maiden gone before their time,
And Matrons and unwedded Sisters old;
Whose charity and goodness were rehearsed
In modest panegyric. "These dim lines,
What would they tell?" said I,—but, from the task
Of puzzling out that faded Narrative,
With whisper soft my venerable Friend
Called me; and looking down the darksome aisle
I saw the Tenant of the lonely Vale
Standing apart; with curved arm reclined
On the baptismal Font; his pallid face
