| Though grief may sometimes leave the weary breast, |
| And grant a respite of a moment's rest, |
| She but returns with renovated power, |
| And pays each moment's absence with an
hour. |
| 5 What images does mem'ry call to view, |
| Deck'd in a smiling or a sombre hue! |
| Now gay as when life's current fill'd the
heart, |
| Ere yet we knew what grief it is to part; |
| Now sad as when death struck the fatal blow, |
| 10 And bow'd us to the very earth in wo. |
| The fondly loved -- the lost -- the wept appear -- |
| Affection's tones still thrill upon the ear, |
| And seem to ask -- "Canst thou forget, and smile, |
| While in the grave we darkly sleep the while?" -- |
| 15 Ah, no! though grief may leave the weary breast, |
| And grant the respite of a moment"s rest, |
| She but returns with renovated power, |
| And pays each moment"s absence with an hour. |
