Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-10-19
From the Pilgrim.

AFFECTIONS ANrIDOTE.
when sorrow, with grasp which knows no
mercy, sss
Fastens its vulture fangs within our breasts,
And holds us victims of his dire embrace,
Where can we fly for succour, for support'
When disappointment tears away the joys
Which we most fondly cherished, when we
knew
No days of sadness; when the grave contains
Our dearest earthly hopes, and we are left
To feel the anguish of broken heart;
To what dear object can we cling And where,
Where, in the wide extent of Nature, Art,
And Fancy, can we find substitute
When storms and tempests, chill and pitiless,
Rudely assail our shiy'ring, aching frames,
Where canwe find awelcome refuge Where
Can the weary, fainting soul find rest'
Alas! knew not, once; but now know
- Example taught me ...*... ~
Some years have passd since A--was wood
and won.
In early youth she gave her hand and heart
To one who knew her value. He had gazed
With dear delight upon her op'ning virtues;
And best himself when he had made them his.
And well he might-She was a treasure, such
As worlds Of gold could never buy. And he
Was worthy of her. Both had given to God
Their best affections; and as Angels love,
They loved each other.-Years went swiftly by
In smooth succession. And if indeed cloud
Did overspread their sky; it soon again
Was blown away, and soon forgotten too
Four blooming daughters and an infant son
Were pledges ofther mutual love. They gave
Their offspring up to God and vowed them His.
They oft invoked his care-the Bonded knee,
And voice of supplication often proved
Iox,z nh. rf,, 4, o~ts
Told their delightful trust in man's best Friend.
But Nature has voice which will be heard.
Once, at the setting sun, Isaw this pair
Walking adownthe vale, which, couldit speak,
Would tellits sacrednessto thoughts to prayer,
And pious contemplation bidding vice
And proclamation not approach too near.
] saw them wandering slowly and heard,
Ungenerous intrusion! heard their free
And unrestrained committeeman wept
With childlike weakness. Twas tender
scene.
In lovely helplessness which seemed to speak
A volume large, A-leaned upon the arm
Which fondness loves to trust in. She had
~ found
1t always faithful, ready to protect.
An air of melancholy threw itself
Across her softened features; and wildness
Seized her beauteous eye and faster still
She EraSpeu hef partners arm, as sic, III Signs
Unbosomed To her friend her inward fears.
elf heaven" she cried, should take thee
from the world,
Should tear thee from these arms which now
embrace thee;
What more could ever please me! woule
wish
Yes, would throw me on the grave which helt
Ny dearer self, and there sleep sweetly will
thee.
Iwould not live, and know such bitter sadness
And these dear babes which cling around ou
knees,
Those pledges Of our love, whose infant smile
ss~v eEhascd away our sorrows-who would b.
A father to themi Who would take then
kindly
Home, and with fathers care instruct them
Who would guard their virtues. feel thei
wrongs,
And clasp them to his heart, and call then
his ~
Her partner was q Christian; and he learned
pious resignation to the will
Qfhim who gives and takes away again.