AH! why did no foreboding fear foretel
The dire misfortune which I now deplore?
Why, dearest Charlotte, when I said farewell ,
Did I not feel –that we should meet no more!
Why did I fancy Chelt’nham’s healing spring
Would prove balsamic to thy fragile frame?
Why was I unprepar’d for Death’s sharp sting?
Why were my Charlotte’s blooming cheeks the same?
Deadly disease was lurking at her heart,
Whilst roseate health imparted youthful grace;
So bright the hectic, that it seem’d like art,
Deceptious art–which wore a Janus’ face!
Yet ne’er did Janus influence that mind;
No act deceptious, Charlotte, sprang from thee;
Thou wert all candid, gentle, good, and kind ,
And thy resemblance–dare I hope to see?
Ah no! the prize of friendship is too rare!
A loss irrevocable–I sustain!
Yet let the check that dreadful foe despair,
And ev’ry murm’ring sentiment restrain!
My loss, dear Charlotte, has to thee prov’d gain ,
Angelic spirits wafted thine in air;
The moment death had rescued thee from pain,
A crown immortal thou wast doom’d to wear!
From sacred record–do I now believe
The friend I mourn receiv’d the promis’d prize;
Then why deplore, why sigh, lament, and grieve ,
When Charlotte’s spirit, ranges through the skies?
Dear sacred spirit of my much-lov’d friend,
Wilt thou the name of guardian angel bear?
Wilt thou, dear Charlotte, on my steps attend,
And guide me through this labyrinth of care?
And when misfortune shall pervade a breast
Too oft assail’d by trials most severe,
Wilt thou, my Charlotte, whisper future rest,
And by that whisper , check the rising tear?
And when life’s troubles, and its joys shall cease,
And languid nature feel its last decay,
Wilt thou conduct me to the realms of peace?
The glorious realms–of everlasting day!
(Mary Hopkins Pilkington)
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Based on Topics: Mind Poems, War & Peace Poems, Faces Poems, Joy & Excitement Poems, Friendship Poems, Name Poems, Pain Poems, Art Poems, Spring Poems, Angels Poems, Medicine & Medical PoemsBased on Keywords: janus, much-lov, unprepar, foretel, balsamic