To a Young Lady on her Recovery from a Fever

Why need I say, Louisa dear!

How glad I am to see you here,

       &nbspA lovely convalescent;

Risen from the bed of pain and fear,

       &nbspAnd feverish heat incessant.



The sunny showers, the dappled sky,

The little birds that warble high,

       &nbspTheir vernal loves commencing,

Will better welcome you than I

       &nbspWith their sweet influencing.



Believe me, while in bed you lay,

Your danger taught us all to pray:

       &nbspYou made us grow devouter!

Each eye looked up and seemed to say,

       &nbspHow can we do without her?



Besides, what vexed us worse, we knew,

They have no need of such as you

       &nbspIn the place where you were going:

This World has angels all too few,

       &nbspAnd Heaven is overflowing!