The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-09-13
For the REoIsTER,
An Address to Death.

For the REGISTER,
An Address to Death.
All, death Thou unseen, silent, yet
ruthless destroyer Why comest thou to
earth, dashing the cup of happiness from
mortal lips, ere they have scarce tasted
life's joys" The tairest birds of earth,
so tenderly guarded with loving care, and
famed by loves breath. The hoiest,
tenderest feelings of the human heart, to
shield them from lfe's storms Parental
arms to shelter them, and parental wis.,
dom to direct them in virtues paths.
When the bud puts forth its leaves in
fragrant beauty, and fond hopes seem
realized. Then, oh then, Death thou
comest, perchancc in angel guise, breath
ing sweet hopes of coming joys; when
thy poisoned breath is even then, flowing
through the delicate veins of thy victim
and ere, fond love can know, the cruel
work is done, and thou another victim
won. And womanhood, in her first sweet
prime Life, to her, ,one beautiful summer
day; her heaven undimmed by clouds
A panorama of the future before her, in
which rare colors blend their gorgeous
hues. And oh loves sweet dream is
there! With outstretched arms, young
manhood stands, he claims his own. With
maiden timidity, she hesitates. Love
triumphs, and she sinks into the protect
ing arms of her young souls idol. The
scene changes. "Black drapery," "the sa-
Bile bier" "the hearse," and nodding
plumes But hush above the funeral
service, above the walls of anguish is
heard thy still small voice, IL am Death,
the mightiest of earthly conquerors - be-
fore whom all must bow, even to kings
and princes
The Senate are spell bound by the ell
oquence and moral grandeur of thought
Of the one addressing them. A "native
majesty is enthroned on his countenancc,"
which speaks nobility of soul, and high
moral rectitude.
He has recently joined that august
body" yet he already bids fair to become
"star of the first magnitude" in our
country's horizon. His quick perception
discovers the errors or the defect there
may be in our government, and his wis.,
dom suggests the remedy. He will be
foremost in performing good and noble
deeds; and should his country be imper-
lied, he will be amid her bravo defenders.
But ah his "sun Of life is set! ~ end
thou, oh Death ! IMPLYING, hast hurled it
from ont the constellation
The matron, in her mature loveliness,
"a mother, wife, and friend I" She sits
beside the hearthstone around her clus-
ter the home blossoms. The fair young
girl on the Threshold of womanhood,"
down to the little three -year-old, leaning
upon her maternal breast. She tells them
Of Savior's love; that He said, Suffer
little children to come unto me, and for
bid them not, for of such is the Kingdom
of Heaven" She speaks of that beauti-
full land, where the weary rest from labor
and the just are made perfect. The
"good night" is said. kiss impressed up
on each brow, a mothers kiss, the last
they shall receive from her; for ere the
sonehhll yifev vAGr Jjns will be mute.;. the
hushed on earth forever. But ah her
"sun of life" will rise mid more glorious
skies, she breathes the pure air Of heaven.
But thou, "oh Death !" couldst see
those orphans weep, and never heed their
tears.
A father, good, and just. The sup
port of those who gathered around the
family board, ga pillar in the church )"
jus. and wise. He lived, not for self
alone, but for his fellow man. All knew
him to be follower Of the "meek and
lowly Savior" Illness came, and ere
friends dreamed his life so near its close,
thou came, dark robed angel" and
bore him hence. An "Emperor's ran.
som" could not buy one moment of that
precious life! Tears fell like rain, for
they had loved him much. But thou
"grim angel" never spake one word OF
cheer to those who mourned.
Then age. with placid brow and silver'e
hair, yet manly presence. His gait wa
slow, and slightly bent, his figure, ye
} withal "noble specimen of manhood,
past his prime, in figure, looks, and state
" presence. Had he been Roman, il
Rome's palmiest days, he may have beef
thought one Of her most gifted sons
"Yet he was no Roman !" but sou O
our own "glorious republic" where al
are "kings and princes born"
His children, and his children's childre
+ lived to bless his honored name. Tn
!. partner of his joys, fitting mate for on
: 80 honored they sit beneath their ow
n vine and fig tree enjoying the fruits @
ls their own industry, hoping that tim
!, would let them tarry yet awhile, to wea
is the undimned "honors Of we'll sper
n life." But thy ruthless arm, "oh Death
+ could not be stayed The picture was $
t, passing fair, we thought, that even th
cold heart would feel one gentle throl
and not mar its wond'rous beauty. B'
with one fell stroke thou didst efiace
to from off this earth. And eyes wei
n dimmcd with tears while those wi
re re loved them well, gathered around II
ut ancestral hearth, and in low, sad vc
ir. ces, spoke of the beautiful lives Of Il
e. dear departed. But if one CLEAN Of pi
ever crossed thy marble brow. it W
- when thou didst take the little babe al
press it to thy icy breast, and hush
plaiutive cries in endless rest Upon
dimpled cheek was seen crystal drop,
may have been a tear If tear, it W
not wept through fear. 1t was too you
81, sd to fear. Nor was it pain nor naught
ort anguish knew that little frame,
VS.; when it slept, it never woke again. I
- .no...rs. g., xpa thourht