The Aged Patriarch

Of life's past woes, the fading trace Hath given that aged patriarch's face Expression, holy, deep, resign'd, The calm sublimity of mind. Years o'er his snowy head have pass'd, And left him of his race the last; Alone on earth, but yet his mien Is bright with majesty serene; And those high hopes, whose guiding star Shines from eternal words afar, Have with that light illumed his eye Whose fount is immortality. And o'er his features pour'd a ray Of glory not to pass away, He seems a being who hath known Communion with his God alone. On earth by nought but pity's tie, Detain'd a moment from on high; One to sublimer worlds allied, One from all passions purified. E'en now half-mingled with the sky, And all prepared, oh! not to die, But like the prophet, to aspire To Heaven's triumphal car of fire.