midnight
Soft it unfolds its petals rare , To gentle dew and sun , But come one blast of chilling air , And all its beauty 's gone . E'en so is life ; the glow of health That warms the youthful cheek , Seems to invite the tyrant Death , His helpless prey to seek . Thy little babe scarce ` woke to life , And promised fair to bloom , Ere cruel Death his victim seiz 'd , And bore it to the tomb . We fondly watch 'd with anxious eye , For Hope had promise giv ` n ; And little deem 'd that passing sigh , Had borne his soul to heav ` n. Calm as the breath of summer eve , On flow ' r and foliage shed , And pure as midnight 's heav ` nly dew , His gentle spirit fled . Then let not grief for him abide Within a parent 's breast , For while his flesh returns to dust , His soul 's with God at rest . When we from earth are call 'd away ; By God 's own summons giv ` n , May we as tranquilly depart , And be as sure of heav ` n . The Spirits of the Dead .