"Epitaph [To this grave is committed]" by James Beattie

          To this grave is committed 
          All that the Grave can claim 
    Of two Brothers ----- and ---- ------ 
       Who on the vii of October MDCCLVII, 
    Both unfortunately perished in the --- water: 
    The one in his xxii, the other in his xviii year. 
    Their disconsolate Father -------------- 
       Erects this monument to the memory of 
                These amiable Youths; 
             Whose early virtues promised 
       Uncommon comfort to his declining years, 
          And singular emolument to society. 
       O Thou! whose steps in sacred reverence tread 
    These lone dominions of the silent Dead; 

		
    On this sad stone a pious look bestow, 
    Nor uninstructed read this tale of woe; 
    And while the sigh of sorrow heaves thy breast, 
    Let each rebellious murmur be supprest; 
    Heaven's hidden ways to trace, for us, how vain! 
    Heaven's wise decrees, how impious, to arraign! 
    Pure from the stains of a polluted age, 
    In early bloom of life, they left the stage: 
    Not doom'd in lingering woe to waste their breath 
    One moment snatch'd Them from the power of Death: 
    They liv'd united, and united died; 
    Happy the friends, whom Death cannot divide!