To the MEMORY of ELIZA F——E, AN EXEMPLARY MOTHER. Isabella Kelly (née Fordyce) Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T122123 Kelly, Isabella, 1759-1857. Collection of Poems and Fables on Several Occasions. London W. Richardson 1794 pp. 4-5. 72p.

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To the MEMORY of ELIZA F——E , AN EXEMPLARY MOTHER . If worth departed e'er deserv'd a tear , Sacred to merit , pay the tribute here ; Repos'd beneath , to rise to life again , Unspotted worth , which never knew a stain , A tender mother , and a virtuous wife , A noble patern of unsullied life ; Honor'd in age , lov'd and admir'd in youth , Here rest in peace thy piety and truth . The Christian virtues in her bosom reign'd , The poor and friendless were by her maintain'd ; The widow blest her charitable dome , And wand'ring orphans found a shelt'ring home ; More than her little pow'r allow'd , she gave , Nor ever knew that virtue how to save ; The bright example of a virtuous mind , Is all the dow'r this parent left behind ; Few were her comforts in this varying state , A painful pilgrimage her weary fate ; Few were her joys on earth while doom'd to dwell , So smiling died , and softly said , " I'm well . " Fair fainted shade ! forgive this starting tear ; A hapless daughter still would wish thee here , But heaven , more just , more gracious , deem'd it hard , That worth like thine should wait a late reward , So gently mov'd thee to that peaceful shore , Where pleasure reigns , and anguish is no more . Sweet be thy rest , dear venerated clay ! Whose guardian care once watch'd my erring way ; Ere thy pure spirit gain'd its native skies , Thou taught'st each fair idea how to rise ; Supremely blest thy mourning daughter , I , By thee taught how to live , and how to die ; And by thine own example , shew'd the way , That leads to peace , and never-ending day . Still deign to guide me , ever-honor'd shade ! In that clear path thy shining virtues made ; O thou ! so tried in sad affliction's school , That made the Christian Leader's life thy rule . Oh , while I live may I disinguish'd be , By still revering , imitating thee ! Serene with kindred saints , in purest air , Now smile in triumph at thy late despair .