Page:Poems Douglas.djvu/182

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
176
on seeing a dead child.
Furl'd closely round him! Vainly they deplore him,
And vain is every effort used to save;
He sinks, the waters glitter brightly o'er him,
The flag his shroud, the restless deep his grave!


On Seeing a Dead Child.
I saw a sweet and lovely child,
Pale, pale, upon a couch she lay,
Round her were strew'd flow'rs fresh and wild,
And yet she seem'd more fair than they;
Although her brow felt cold and chill,
Her face wore beauty's freshness still.

It might be thought an angel slept,
Her features seemed so heavenly fair;
The sweet smile that in life she kept,
In cherub softness linger'd there,
And such a life-like radiance shed
O'er the mild features of the dead.

And can it be, I musing thought,
Whilst gazing on the beauteous clay,
That, ere the blue eye closed, it caught
A glimpse of those who bore away
The soul, and that last smile was given,
To greet the messengers of heaven?