SD818. Lady Margaret Cocks

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 332.

[ca. 1837]. Verse, by Lady Margaret Cocks, unsigned. Bears EBB’s notation: “Written by Lady M. Cocks on Miss Adams.”

Oh whence the paleness of they youthful cheek

What cares untimely does that sigh bespeak

Why does thine eye—sparkling with joy—no more

From time to time its tide of sorrow pour?

But hark, the sad funereal strains I hear

Sweet maid I know & Venerate thy tear

Tis past, his spirit from its mansion fled

While you still wept o’er the deserted bed

Now freely let the drops of nature flow

You well may mourn in lifes dark paths below

Yet think that he whom the Lord calls away

Soars from our twilight to Eternal day,

Oft to they heart his latest words repeat

We part on Earth, again in Heaven to meet

And the glad thought, fast rooted in thy mind

Shall lead thee onwards faithful & resigned

Oh look to that all good, all perfect Pow’r

Who crown’d with peace thy Brother’s dying hour

Oh look to Him who thy affliction viewed

And with fresh strength thy tender frame endured

Who readied thy breast to hear thy Brother’s groan

To see his suffrings & conceal thine own.

Thy sighs, thy tears, thy anguish to suppress

The lov’d one’s couch of pain & death to bless

Upraised to Heaven thy meek Confiding pray’r

Tho’ vieled in Clouds, the God of mercy’s there

Look round, & mid the tempest of the night

The Eastern Star shall shine in fadeless light

The Lord who watches o’er his Servants End

To those who mourn the Cup of balm will send

On Him let all your hopes, your trust be cast

And joy shall spring up from the bitter past

Lay in His mercy His presiding love

That fits frail man for endless bliss above.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collectiono.

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