54. The Death of Moses
|
{106}
MY Father's hope! my childhood's dream! |
| The promise from on high! |
| Long waited for! its glories beam |
| Now when my death is nigh. |
My death is come, but not decay; |
| Nor eye nor mind is dim; |
| The keenness of youth's vigorous day |
| Thrills in each nerve and limb. |
Blest scene! thrice welcome after toil— |
| If no deceit I view; |
| O might my lips but press the soil, |
| And prove the vision true! {107} |
Its glorious heights, its wealthy plains, |
| Its many-tinted groves, |
| They call! but He my steps restrains |
| Who chastens whom He loves. |
Ah! now they melt ... they are but shades ... |
| I die!—yet is no rest, |
| O Lord! in store, since Canaan fades |
| But seen, and not possest? |
Off Ithaca.
December 30, 1832. |