IN MEMORIAM. Charles Dickens, died June 9,1870.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 18 August 1870, Page 5

IN MEMORIAM. Charles Dickens, died June 9, 1870.

Lament, ye Britons ! for your country's pride ; Immortal "Boy" and " Pickwick" are no more : The world will seem less cheery since he died, And somewhat poorer than it was before; For he has fled the earth, whose magic pen Could cheer the saddest heart, and make it smile again. n. Yes, he is gone ! That heart so stout and brave, That lately throbb'd with animating breath, Ts silent now and pulseless as the graye — Still'd by the cold and palsied hand of Death. But nnforgotten he : for every page Shall pass his deathless name to every future age. • in. Yes, he is gone, who never stoop'd to praise Or flatter senseless undeserving pride ; I Exposing every vice he spent his days, And still upholding truth and virtue, died. The hand is cold and powerless in the dust That never feared to strike in honour of the just. IV. Now melancholy nature sadly weeps, And mourns her darling hero passed away, Above the grave where Charles Dickens sleeps, Bedewing with her tears his lifeless clay; For what unerring hand, what fearless mind, Shall hold her wondrous mirror now to all mankind. v. And lowly bending o'er his silent tomb The genius of his country now appears, With visage dark, bespeaking inward gloom — That mighty grief that finds no vent in tears. Immortal Charles, since thou'rt for ever fled, Ah, who shall fill the throne now left untenanted. VI. If haply thy great spirit hover near, And deign to list an unassuming bard : Accept this tribute of a heart sincere, If it be not unworthy thy regard ! Not poor the gift, though humble it maybe, That's offered by the heart in true sincerity. Jaqdes. Castle-street, Dunedin, July, 1870.