"For this fair Bride, most rich in gifts of mind, Nor sparingly endowed with worldly wealth, His office he relinquished; and retired From the world's notice to a rural home. Youth's season yet with him was scarcely past, 195 And she was in youth's prime. How free their love, How full their joy! 'Till, pitiable doom![128] In the short course of one undreaded year, Death blasted all. Death suddenly o'erthrew Two lovely Children--all that they possessed! 200 The Mother followed:--miserably bare The one Survivor stood; he wept, he prayed For his dismissal, day and night, compelled To hold communion with the grave, and face With pain the regions of eternity.[129] 205 An uncomplaining apathy displaced This anguish; and, indifferent to delight, To aim and purpose, he consumed his days, To private interest dead, and public care. So lived he; so he might have died. "But now, 210 To the wide world's astonishment, appeared A[130] glorious opening, the unlooked-for dawn, That promised everlasting joy to France![BO] Her voice of social transport[131] reached even him! He broke from his contracted bounds, repaired 215 To the great City, an emporium then Of golden expectations, and receiving Freights every day from a new world of hope. Thither his popular talents he transferred; And, from the pulpit, zealously maintained 220 The cause of Christ and civil liberty, As one, and moving to one glorious end. Intoxicating service! I might say A happy service; for he was sincere As vanity and fondness for applause, 225 And new and shapeless wishes, would allow.