To Amira on Her Recovery

Once more has heav'n indulgent heard our prayers,
And spar'd your life! O be the mercy wrote,
In lasting characters of duteous love,
On every heart; and may Amira be
A living monument of grateful praise.
New mercies call for new returns of love
And glad obedience, to the bounteous hand
From whence they flow, through all our future lives,
When sorrows rise, let sweet reflection call
Past favours o'er; and while we wond'ring trace
The steps of providence, adoring, own
Pow'r, wisdom, love and truth, display'd in all.
And these can never change; here let our souls
With humble trust, and cheerful hope recline.
May every pain be sweeten'd by content,
And calm submission to a Father's hand'
A father! O endearing, tender name!
And will the Lord of angels condescend
To call us children? Yes, almighty love
With more than tenderness paternal, deigns
To sooth our cares: how kind his gentle hand.
Who while he chastens, pities, and supports
Our fainting spirits! though an angry frown
Becloud his face, how soon the gloom withdraws t
How soon divine forgiveness smiles serene!
O may his mercies be our constant theme,
And warm our hearts, and tune our lips to praise,
And heighten joy to transport, while we view
The boundless spring of bliss from whence they flow;
Who bids our hope aspire to greater joys;
To joys beyond the reach of time or care,
Reserv'd for those who love him! may our hearts
Rise often on the wings of faith and love
To those divine abodes, where not a cloud
Of pain or sorrow spreads a moment's gloom,
To shade the blissful scene, for God unveils
His radiant face, and spreads eternal day.