O'er this marble drop a tear.
Here lies fair Rosalinde;
All mankind were pleased with her.
And she with all mankind.
Thou who dost all my worldly thoughts employ,
Thou pleasing source of all my earthly joy,
Thou tenderest husband, and thou best of friends,
To thee, this first, this last adieu I send.
At length the conqueror death asserts his right,
And will forever vail thee from my sight.
He woos me to him with a chearful grace;
And not one terror clouds his meagre face.
He promises a lasting rest from pain,
And shews that all life's fleeting joys are vain.
Th' eternal scenes of heaven he sets in view,
And tells me that no other joys are true.
But love, fond love, would yet resist his power,
Would fain a while defer the parting hour:
He brings thy mourning image to my eyes,
And would obstruct my journey to the skies.
But say, thou dearest, thou unwearied friend,
Say, should'st thou grieve to see my sorrows end?
Thou know'st a painful pilgrimage I've past.
And should'st thou grieve that rest is come at last?
Rather rejoice to see me shake off life,
And die, as I have liv'd, thy faithful wife.