MARQUIS TOWNSHEND's VERSES ON HIS NIECE MISS GARDINER

As late FLORINDA on her death-bed lay, And felt compos'd, each vital pow'r decay; No longer science could her bloom sustain, And KINDRED TEARS in showers fall in vain: The sun meridian glimmer'd to her eye, And panting breath announc'd her end was nigh: She turn'd, and smiling ask'd, "When shall I die? In realms above my long-mourn'd mother join? See, see her arms stretch'd out to meet with mine!" Adieu, pure SOUL! with rapture take thy slight, Quit thy dark mansion for Eternal Light!— For bliss eternal! whilst at Heaven's gate Thy sister Angels thy arrival wait, Swift to conduct thee to thy parent's breast; For Heav'n has heard, and granted thy request.