543. L. M. Mrs. Barbauld. Death of the Righteous. 1 Sweet is the scene when virtue dies! When sinks a righteous soul to rest; How mildly beam the closing eyes, How gently heaves th' expiring breast! 2 So fades a summer cloud away, So sinks the gale when storms are o'er, So gently shuts the eye of day, So dies a wave along the shore. 3 Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears, Where lights and shades alternate dwell; How bright th' unchanging morn appears! Farewell, inconstant world, farewell! 4 Life's duty done, as sinks the clay, Light from its load the spirit flies; While heaven and earth combine to say, "How blessed the righteous when he dies!"
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