Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MRS. --, ON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND, by                    
First Line: The day invited me to walk
Last Line: That you may comfort find.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


THE day invited me to walk,
Prudence, at home to stay;
God's Providence called me to work,
His Word, to watch and pray.

I called to mind a pleasant walk,
And those I there did see;
And since those friends are absent now,
'Twould be no joy to me.

Here Sally did with Tommy walk,
Young Jenny was with me;
We cast our eyes on Welling's farm,
And Primrose Hill would see.

I do remember on our way
We through a field did pass,
Where quantities of grasshoppers
Were jumping in the grass.

Here Sally much affrighted was,
And often out did cry;
But Tommy led her safely through --
On him she did rely.

We soon ascended Primrose Hill,
And did those buildings view,
Which sure have stood in ancient times,
And many that were new.

Did Moses view the promised land,
But never entered there?
But we were going to return;
Our dwelling it was near.

Here Sally on her spouse did lean,
And viewed the landscape o'er,
But all her joys are turned to pain,
Because he's now no more.

No more? Oh, yes! he lives above:
Remember he did say,
'In Heaven I shall then rejoice,
When here a corpse I lay.'

Does he rejoice in Jesus, then?
Behold, he lives anew,
And would not quit his Saviour's arms,
No, Sally, not for you.

Oh! bow your head in silence then,
Say, 'Lord, thy will be done.'
Turn all your love and grace, I pray,
From father unto son.

Does he not need your utmost care,
To cultivate his mind?
This opening flower beautify,
That you may comfort find.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net