This day among the faithful placed, br And fed with fontal manna, br O with maternal title graced br Dear Anna's dearest Anna!-- br br While others wish thee wise and fair, br A maid of spotless fame, br I'll breathe this more compendious prayer-- br May'st thou deserve thy name! br br Thy mother's name--a potent spell, br That bids the virtues hie br From mystic grove and living cell br Confess'd to fancy's eye;-- br br Meek quietness without offence; br Content in homespun kirtle; br True love; and true love's innocence, br White blossom of the myrtle! br br Associates of thy name, sweet child! br These virtues may'st thou win; br With face as eloquently mild br To say, they lodge within. br br So, when her tale of days all flown, br Thy mother shall be mist here; br When Heaven at length shall claim its own, br And angels snatch their sister; br br Some hoary-headed friend, perchance, br May gaze with stifled breath; br And oft, in momentary trance, br Forget the waste of death. br br Ev'n thus a lovely rose I view'd, br In summer-swelling pride; br Nor mark'd the bud, that green and rude br Peep'd at the rose's side. br br It chanced, I pass'd again that way br In autumn's latest hour, br And wond'ring saw the selfsame spray br Rich with the selfsame flower.