(Published by Request)
LINES
Composed on the death of Samuel and Catharine Belknap’s children
by M. A. Glaze
Friends and neighbors
all draw near,
And listen to what I
have to say;
And never leave your
children dear
When they are small,
and go away.
But always think of
that sad fate,
That happened in year
of ’63;
Four children with a
house did burn,
Think of their awful
agony.
Their mother she had
gone away,
And left them there
alone to stay;
The house took fire
and down did burn;
Before their mother
did return.
Their piteous cry the
neighbors heard,
And then the cry of
fire was given;
But, ah! before they
could them reach,
Their little spirits
had flown to heaven.
Their father he to war
had gone,
And on the battle-field
was slain;
But little did he think
when he went away,
But what on earth they
would meet again.
The neighbors often
told his wife
Not to leave his children
there,
Unless she got some
one to stay,
And of the little ones
take care.
The oldest he was years
not six,
And the youngest only
eleven months old,
But often she had left
them there alone,
As, by the neighbors,
I have been told.
How can she bear to
see the place.
Where she so oft has
left them there,
Without a single one
to look to them,
Or of the little ones
to take good care.
Oh, can she look upon
the spot,
Whereunder their little
burnt bones lay,
But what she thinks
she hears them say,
‘’Twas God
had pity, and took us on high.’
And there may she kneel
down and pray,
And ask God her to forgive;
And she may lead a different
life
While she on earth remains
to live.
Her husband and her
children too,
God has took from pain
and woe.
May she reform and mend
her ways,
That she may also to
them go.
And when it is God’s
holy will,
O, may she be prepared
To meet her God and
friends in peace,
And leave this world
of care.