DRY YOUR TEARS AND WEEP NO MORE

The angel of death with a sudden blow
In the season of youth has laid him low
In a time when the heart’s warm springs were rife
With the hopes and the prospects of future life.

He was well belov’d by the wise and good
For his heart was noble – his mind imbued
With the principles of truth and light –
In the ways of Wisdom he took delight.

For the Gospel’s sake he had left behind
The friends that around his heart entwin’d
His soul was inspir’d with the noblest love
He pursued the course which the heav’ns approve.

With the saints of God he was truly blest
And with them he had found a place of rest;
And then from the hand of oppression free
He sung the sweet echo of Liberty.

With a friendship true and a love sincere
To the youthful circle he still is dear;
And the mirror of mem’ry long will hold
His impression there in its native mould.

But there is one whose affectionate heart
More acutely than others feels the smart
A fair maiden mourns in her loveliness
O’er his loss whom she felt her life would bless.

Yet the morn of the resurrection is near
When in greater perfection he’ll reappear;
Yes Franklin and Mary Jane will meet
When happiness will be more complete.

Now his form is laid in the grave to rest;
While his spirit returns to the home of the blest
And from thence to the spirits in prison sent
With salvation’s tidings as Jesus went.

Therefore dry your tears and weep no more
For with him the toils of this life is o’er
In the regeneration he will come
Cloth’d with glory, pow’r and immortal bloom.

composed 6 February 1848

(Eliza R. Snow – The Complete Poetry; BYU Press © 2009; pp 374-376.)

Thank you to a friend for sending me this!