Commemorative of the deaths Gen. Lafayette--of Miss Mary A. Coley, and
Miss Helen Stuart Bowers.[2]
Sweep--slowly sweep the chords to notes of woe,
Breathe dirge-like sounds, funereal and low;
For sorrow flows--a strange and mingled tide,
The Beautiful are gone--the Brave hath died!
So good, so dauntless, generous, and kind,
Our Country's Father leaves no peer behind;
But ah our Sisters! must the bright and gay,
Leave the fair earth, and moulder in the clay!
Thus saith the Word, "Be not of little faith;"
Prepare for life,--prepare for early death;
So shall ye calmly part, or peaceful stay,
Be honor'd here, or sweetly pass away.
Sweep--slowly sweep the chords to notes of woe,
Breathe dirge-like sounds, funereal and low,
For sorrow still, will flow in mingled tide,
The BEAUTIFUL are gone--the BRAVE hath died!
[Footnote 2: Miss Bowers (who was a young lady of exquisite personal
beauty) had a remarkably peaceful and happy death.]
For the Southern Literary Messenger.