Clarksville Chronicle

The following touching lines were written in 1856, by a young friend of ours, a short time previous to his death. They were written while that King of Terror—consumption—was preying upon his vitals. A more noble and generous-hearted young man never lived.

Lines.

Oh! life, thou art to me so sweet,
While others for me pray,
And oftentimes my name repeat,
As I know they have to-day.

When no help like this I know,
My soul is weary of this life,
And anxious upward then to go,
Where all are free from care and strife.

I've cherished hopes of earthly bliss—
Of a life well spent and long—
But, in a world of death like this.
No doubt such thoughts are wrong.

I've lost this world's richest boon—
My health is gone—it gives me pain
To know this frame must fall so soon,
Unless my health is found again.

For one long year a strange disease
Hath played upon my fondest schemes—
And now my mind is ill at ease.
Except when fixed on nobler themes.

Oh, Father! let this cup pass,
And spare awhile thy sinful son—
But thou art wise unto the last:
Then let thy will, not mine, be done.

I'll leave many strong ties below
But stronger ones there are above,
And in the land to which I go,
All their ties are ties of love.

If from that land 't is given me
Again toward earth to stray—
I'll come, dear one, to cheer thee,
Before I fly away.