SERIOUS REFLECTIONS.
Reading edition
My life is embittered with cares, The reason to me is quite plain; I have caused many sighs and sad tears, To her I shall ne’er see again.
She is fled from my presence above, I shortened her days in this life; To share true angelical love, She is free’d from all pain care and stife.
How could I the dictates disdain, Of a parent so kind and so just; Or give her sweet bosom such pain, She is happy, I hope and I trust.
That God who is setting on high, Have planted remorse in my heart; Its pangs I shall feel till I die, May I then from my troubles depart.
Repent oft she cried ere too late, To her precepts I did not attend; My consience pronounce me ingrate, To disdain such advice from a friend.
Such a friend I shall ne’er more attain. To me she was always sincere; I hope I shall meet her again. When I’m summoned on high to appear
May repentance atone for the past, And cleanse me from every stain; May the tears of sincerity last, That my parent I do meet again.
Sometimes I revisit the spot, Where my parent was used for to dwell; I sigh when I enter the cot, Where I bade the lov’d object farewell,
Ere death had releaved her from pain, I pray’d that her son she’d forgive; She implor’d me from vice to abstain, And in future more pious to live.
Scarce had I her blessing received, And had faintly sigh’d out an adieu; When I found her from troubles reliev’d, While mine where arising anew.
Emotion of grief tears my heart, More painful then e’er felt before; When compell’d from her tomb to depart, Her loss I shall daily deplore.