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Title: To Mr. And Mrs. C. Batty
Author: Thomas Cowherd [
More Titles by Cowherd]
Parents-in-law, a Rhymer much in debt
Deems it full time to try his debts to pay;
And as some large arrears are standing yet,
To give this mite I will no more delay.
And if I cannot make a full discharge,
Perhaps I may induce you to forbear,
For though this portion is not very large,
'Tis quite as much as I can freely spare.
Preliminaries settled, I proceed
To seek the assistance of my humble Muse;
Well knowing that she will in time of need
Give forth such numbers as you'll not refuse.
Impelled by gratitute for kindness shown,
I bless my God I now so long have known
That sweet connection in which I have stood
With you and yours. Thoughts of it make the blood
Run freely through my veins; they cheer my mind,
Revive my spirits, make me leave behind
Vile carking cares, dispel my melancholy,
Fire my devotion with desires most holy,
Fill my sad soul! Thus am I drawn away,
And in imagination soar to-day
To those blest regions where my Ann has gone,
And feel that even now I'm not alone.
For her pure spirit is with mine
Holding fellowship divine.
Hark! she whispers in the skies,
"Let thy prayers to Heaven arise;
Let thy songs ascend above;
Sing evermore Redeeming Love;
For all those who here do enter
Cleave to Jesus as their Centre,
And we now on holy ground
Join in one unceasing round
Of purest pleasure, and do raise
Our voices in the Saviour's praise
And thus throughout Eternity
Dwell in sweetest harmony.
To all my kindred I would say.
Work while 'tis called 'to-day.'
Always listen to the voice
Of Jesus, and in him rejoice.
Make his righteousness your boast,
For without it you are lost.
Listen now, he calls to-day;
Flee, Oh, flee to him away!"
She ceased to speak, and back her spirit fled
To yon bright Mansions where her Saviour led;
And we are left confined in tents of clay,
To "groan, being burdened," for Redemption's day.
Oh, then, dear parents, let us not forget
The "still small voice" of Mercy's speaking yet.
Let us put on afresh our heavenly armor,
The Christian warfare is but growing warmer.
Should our weak courage fail, let us in meekness
Look still to him who gives us strength in weakness.
And thus supported, may our lives declare
How blest the portion which through grace we share.
1847.
[The end]
Thomas Cowherd's poem: To Mr. And Mrs. C. Batty
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