134 



TO CONSUMPTION. 



Gently, most gently, on thy victim's head, 

 Consumption, lay thine hand ! — let me decay, 

 Like the expiring lamp, unseen, away, 



And softly go to slumber with the dead. 



And if 'tis true what holy men have said. 

 That strains angelic oft foretell the day 

 Of death, to those good men who fall thy prey, 



O let the aerial music round my bed, 



Dissolving sad in dying symphony. 



Whisper the solemn warning in mine ear ; 



That I may bid my weeping friends good bye. 

 Ere I depart upon my journey drear : 



And smiling faintly on the painful past. 



Compose my decent head, and breathe my last. 



Translated from the French ofM. Desharreatix, 



Thy judgments. Lord, are just ; thou lovest to wear 



The face of pity, and of love divine ; 

 But mine is guilt — thou must not, canst not, spare, 



While Heaven is true, and equity is thine. 

 Yes, oh, my God I — such crimes as mine, so dread, 



Leave but the choice of punishment to thee ; 

 Thy interest calls for judgment on my head, 



And even thy mercy dares not plead for me ! 

 Thy wdll be done — since 'tis thy glory's duf^ 



Did from mine eyes the endless to-^a eye, 

 Smite — it is time — though en'^-^«=: with mournful ecstacy 



I bless the avenging har 

 B;.t on what spot shall fa^ ' 

 That has not first been drei 



