| Citation |
BEP(P.781.015
24 Nov 1781:32 (1/6)
[Elegy on death of Thomas Coleman, at sea between Portsmouth
and Newbury-port]
Sweet son of music, once our guide,
When favouring heaven delightful shone;
With thee, the fairest prospects dy'd;
And our expected joys are gone.
. . . [6 verses]
As the full organ wakes the soul,
Remembrance then shall sadly please
Who weep along the lengthening hall,
Or strike with skill th'obedient keys.
Where'er shall dance the guiltless youth
In arched dome or green-wood shade
Lov'd for sweet innocence and truth
Through village or the flowery glade:
Where'er the social wise are seen
Or cheerfulness invites the song
There shall thine image intervene,
And give new graces to the tongue.
But what are mournful airs to thee
Lost in the bosom of the main?
In slumbers, thou shalt never see
Or hear, the dryades sport again.
No more the sprightly, active maid,
With beauty brighter than the sky,
Adown the mazy dance convey'd,
Shall lead in chains thy roving eye.
. . . [3 more verses] Boston, November 20th, 1781. [signed]
J.
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