Lines

TO THE MEMORY OF PATRICK KELLEY, WHO BY HIS MANY GOOD QUALITIES DURING SOME YEARS' RESIDENCE IN MY FAMILY, GREATLY ENDEARED HIMSELF TO ME AND MINE.     From Erin's fair Isle to this country he came,     And found brothers and sisters to welcome him here;     Though then but a youth, yet robust seemed his frame,     And life promised fair for many a long year.     A place was soon found where around the same board,     He with two of his sisters did constantly meet;     And when his day's work had all been performed,     At the same fireside he found a third seat.     His faithfulness such, so true-hearted was he,     That love in return could not be denied;     As one of the family - he soon ceased to be     The stranger, who lately for work had applied.     Youth passed into manhood, and with it there came     New duties to fill, new plans to pursue;     But a fatal disease now seizes his frame,     And with health is his strength fast leaving him too.     From his home in the country to the city he went,     Where kind brothers procured him good medical aid;     But all was in vain - Death commissioned was sent,     And soon his remains in the cold grave were laid.     The broad waves of Atlantic lie rolling between     His brothers and sisters and parents on earth;     And never by parents may those children be seen,     Or the latter revisit the land of their birth.     But sooner or later they all must be borne     To that region of darkness from whence none return;     Oh! then may they meet on Canaan's bright shore,     An unbroken household to part nevermore.     Weston, Jan. 1852.