Cotton Mather (1663-1728). On the Death of his Daughter. Samuel Kettell, ed. 1829. Specimens of American Poetry

Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.

On the Death of his Daughter

By Cotton Mather (1663–1728)


The motto, inscribed on the grave stone, “Gone, but not lost.” THE DEAREST Lord of heaven gave
Himself an offering once for me:
The dearest thing on earth I have,
Now, Lord, I ’ll offer unto Thee.

I see my best enjoyments here,	5
Are loans, and flowers, and vanities;
Ere well enjoy’d they disappear:
Vain smoke, they prick and leave our eyes.

But I believe, O glorious Lord,
That when I seem to lose these toys,	10
What ’s lost will fully be restor’d
In glory, with eternal joys.

I do believe, that I and mine,
Shall come to everlasting rest;
Because, blest Jesus, we are Thine,	15
And with thy promises are blest.

I do believe that every bird
Of mine, which to the ground shall fall,
Does fall at thy kind will and word;
Nor I, nor it, is hurt at all.	20

Now my believing soul does hear
This among the glad angels told;
I know, thou dost thy Maker fear,
From whom thou nothing dost withhold!