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Those trifiling migrastorial strains
Which heretofore have exercised my brain
Must now be laid asid; till I fulfill
A nobler task with my poetic skill
Tho' my imaginations high should vise
And make attempts in ancient heroe's praise
Should any attention turn to former times
To unknown countries or to distant climes
And strive to set in lofty poets spheres
To 'wake the passions or engage the ears:
And demonstrations of filial love,
Should I neglect would not the stones reprove.
A parent dear whose loss commands my tears
Fulfilled his course of more than 3 score years.
He lived to see his youngest son of age --
And then with resignation left the stage
His life was a continued scene of peace
An tears of of sorrow marked his late descease
His moderate fortune or his wordly part
To leave behind did not distress his heart
His mind was drawn from this our earth above
And thus engaged he made his last remove
May it be so with me his youngest son
When I my race on earth have run,
That when this trying storm of life is o'er
On wings of Angels I to him may soar
May this my constant hope forever be

Mailed the original of this to Jas. W. Brevard Feb. 10-1897