Lines To The Memory Of Col. Light, &C. &C. Poem by Fidelia S T Hill

In vain for thee, the gifts proud Nature gave,
The faultless person, and the exalted mind,
The martial spirit which adorns the brave,
The deep discernment, and the taste refined: —
Destined on these far shores a fate to find,
From which nor worth, nor skill had pow'r to save,
To sink beneath the force of cares combin'd,
To meet thine only recompense — the grave! —
How were thy noblest energies misprized?
Time, talents, life itself! — all sacrificed!
Alas! that varied ills should thickly throng
Round genius, so distinguish'd and display
A scene still mark'd by complicated wrong,
While base ingratitude disgrac'd the way: —
As thou wast singled out to be the prey
Of malice, envy, unrequited love: —
Of disappointed hope to own the sway,
And of fell treachery the victim prove.
Wherefore on thee, such bitter anguish rest,
Who wast best lov'd by those who knew thee best?
Our life hath well been liken'd to a sea,
Whose waves are sorrow, and upon whose tide
The little skiff hath more security,
Than the proud bark, that doth the gale outride,
Tho' fame and fortune seem the helm to guide,
As thro' the pathless deep she speeds her way,
Yet not in safety shall that vessel glide —
For shoals, and quicksands, all around her lay.
Thus while th'ungifted 'scape from censure free,
Superior talent calls forth jealousy. —
O long remembered by a faithful band,
Who prized their gallant leader as they ought:
Thy well known worth, and talent shall command
The place most cherish'd, in their heart & thought,
And such a trophy as hath ne'er been bought
By wealth or station, they award thee still,
While others by thy fate untimely, taught,
Shall yield too late, just tribute to thy skill. —
With that of South Australia, proudly write
On history's page — the honor'd name of LIGHT!