Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-05-01
From Beatley's Msceilany for March.
ONE uOuR WITH DEATH.

ONE HOUR WITH DEATH.
a,ggested by n Picture by str Joshua Rey-
nolds, Ina the Dulwich Gallery.
she sun has gone in from this world ofsn.
The eaunt wolf roams the fell
Now whittier dost speed on Thy tall white steed
Suange rider, pause and tell -
Mount, mount with me, and thou shalt sec
A boon TO thee give.
The terrible power for single hour,
To ride with me--nnd LIvEE
BY The thrilling tone, and the eye OF stone,
And the blue and vapouIy breath,
Bv the hard cold brow, know thee now
Dread rider, thou art DEATu!
oh. might refuse--tut dare not choose
Ny spirit is not free;
Thy gift is DOOM and, though not to the tomb,
feel must 60 with thee!
Away! Away through mire and clay
The riders two sped.
death first drew Iein battle PLAIN,
mid heaps of fostering dead.
lie sazed all around, and no longer he frownd
But he laughed with fendiike gee-
The fires of hell burn wonjrous well,
When man does my work for me "
And on and on, DER clod and stone,
Are sped those riders twain, might.
Towards glimmering light through the darksome
Which beam'd through cottage pane.
And lovely sight did that glimmcring light
Show to the gazers there
In the twilight gloom of lonely room
Sat lady pale and fair
81 heavy unrest on her gentle breast,
Its young brow knit with pain,
Lay The fcvered check of an infant weak,
Toe feeble 10 complain.
The tear-drop was dry IN the mothers eye,
Her cold lips spoke no word;
Her will she had given to the will Of Heaven
She was waiting on the Lord
Net ever glance she cast askance
OF strange distrus and fear,
Through the doubtful gloom of that silent ROOM;
AS she felt that Death was near
lie has passed the door, he treads the floor,
His arm is raised to slay,-
Eat bright form was seen to rush between,
And a stern voice cried Away!
Destroyer flee Oh, not to thee,
Through many peaceful year,
IS il given to split the bonds which knit
That fond and faithful pair.
And in thy brief hour of impo,ent power,
When may not bid thee fly;
Not to them shalt thou bring or terror or sting,
Nor to thee shall be victory!
Back, wretch!' O'erpowered the grim shape cow
e,ed,
And WINGED like chidden boy
Then again on his course he urged his pale horse
Still eager TO destroy.
It lordy hall was his next stern call,
Where meath silken canopy,
Afiaid to pray, rich man lay,
Who knew that he must die,
lis failing ear, il could not hear
One blessing from the poor;
But he knew whose steed had slackened its speed,
Whose hand was on the door.
His straining eye could naught descry
Ger his couch OF sculptured gold,
save the gloatng stare of some eager heii,
Or the glance Of some menial cold.
)h he would have given for one hope of Heaven
And one of Loves true tears, his hand
Al his wealth. and his lands, and have toied witt
For bread through thousand years.
iut he turned his face FROM the Spiri, of Grace.
He scoiled at the Orphans cry
lis God it was peF, his Love it was SELF
He must gocless, loveless, die
'hs, groan was his last.-But the hour is past,
The chartered space is DER.
last lhou had enough" said the rider rough,
j can grant thee mile or two more.
What at once away pale trembler stay,
There's parting word to tell
When next thou shalt ride with Death by thy sid'
Thou wilt not come off so weH.'
S. n. II.
For the following eight stanzas, see Room /
o. l43, Dulwch Gallery.