At thy soft silent hour, in pensive mood, Sweet eventide, I love to seek the wood; And as I, musing, wind my devious walk, With visionary forms hold fancied talk; Forms that the cold embrace of death enfolds, But which my soul in fond remembrance holds, Down the lone walk, or midst the cluster'd trees, I hear a well known voice in every breeze-- The passing object, or the shadowy green Through their tall bolls in dim perspective seen, Soft flitting forms present to fancy's eye, That seem to glide with gentle greetings by. Hail gentle spirits! Shades of friends revered-- By tender recollections now endeared; And you, my earliest loss, parental pair-- Though o'er your tombs the oft revolving year Has shed its winters frost and vernal dew, Still faithful memory fondly turns to you-- For often in idea still are seen Your silver locks, and venerable mien. If conscience tells me I have err'd in aught, Your cold reproving frown straight strikes my thought; But if my heart acquits me of all guile, It feels the joy of your approving smile. A brother here, the worthiest of mankind-- Oft I recall--with pain and pleasure joined; Two sisters--one advanced in matron grace, Strong sense and feeling blended in her face; Plain worth and warm affections fill'd her heart, And to each action did their hue impart: Benevolence and truth still led her way And held their tenor through each well spent day: The other, just a bride, in youthful charms, With grace and beauty fill'd her husband's arms-- When Heaven, aware a mind so finely wrought, So mild, so gentle, so refined in thought, With erring mortals peace could never know, Hasted to call her from a scene of woe; And early placed her in those blest abodes Where care no more afflicts, nor grief corrodes. Sure, thou Supreme! of all thy works, the part Most form'd for woe, is the soft female heart; Her breast, the seat of innocence and love, Was doom'd, alas! composure ne'er to prove-- What others felt, with but a passing sigh, Kept the meek tear forever in her eye; The varying blush that mental suffering speaks In quick suffusion on her lovely cheeks-- Ah gentle Anna! leave thy Heaven awhile, Greet a lone sister with one tearful smile.