Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral · Chapter
To a Gentleman and Lady on the Death of the Lady’s Brother and Sister, and a Child of the Name of Avis, Aged One Year explained
The poem reflects on the universality of death, describing a scene where a brother, sister, and infant child lie dead.
What happens
The poem reflects on the universality of death, describing a scene where a brother, sister, and infant child lie dead. The speaker urges the grieving lady to set aside her sorrow, resign her loved ones to God's will, and find comfort in the child's ascension to heavenly bliss, where she invites the living to join her in immortal joy.
Themes in this chapter
Death and the Afterlife
The poem dwells on death's dominion over all humanity and the promise of heavenly immortality for the faithful.
Grief and Consolation
The speaker directly addresses the lady's grief, urging her to dry her tears and find solace in divine providence and the child's salvation.
Divine Providence and Nature
The poem counsels resignation to the 'Almighty hand' that gives and takes life, framing death as part of a natural and divine order.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The speaker who observes death's domain and offers consolation to the grieving lady.
- Avis
The one-year-old child who has died and is now in heaven, inviting the living to share immortal bliss.
Key passages
“On Death’s domain intent I fix my eyes, Where human nature in vast ruin lies”
I focus my gaze on the realm of death, where all of humanity lies in utter destruction.
The speaker sets the scene by contemplating the universal devastation caused by death.
“Resign thy friends to that Almighty hand, Which gave them life, and bow to his command”
Surrender your loved ones to God's powerful hand, who gave them life, and submit to his will.
A direct exhortation to the grieving lady to accept God's authority over life and death.
“Methinks I hear her in the realms above, And leaning forward with a filial love, Invite you there to share immortal bliss”
I imagine I hear the child in heaven, leaning forward with childlike love, inviting you to join her in eternal happiness.
The speaker envisions the deceased child actively calling the living to heaven, offering comfort through the hope of reunion.