by Anne Steele (1717 - 1778), as Theodosia
Translation by John Gill, Reverend (1697 - 1771)

Language: English  after the English 
Forgive, blest shade, this tributary tear,
That mourns thy exit from a world like this:
Forgive the wish that would have kept thee here,
And stay'd thy progress to the seats of bliss.

No more confin'd to grov'ling scenes of night,
No more a tenant pent in mortal clay;
Now should we rather hail thy glorious flight,
And trace thy journey to the realms of day.

Note: this adaptation of Anne Steele's poem was used as an inscription on the gravestone of Mrs. Ann Berry (d. 1790). It has also been used as a hymn, for example, in Ellen Courtauld's Psalms, Hymns, &c, 1853.

Composition:

    Set to music by John Wall Callcott (1766 - 1821), "Forgive, blest shade", subtitle: "Glee for three voices" [ vocal trio ]

Text Authorship:

Based on:

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Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website: 2020-04-08
Line count: 8
Word count: 71