Stanzas
On hearing of the Sudden Demise of Mr. G. Copeland, on May 22, 1866, Aged 65 Years.

Colony; Work; Nature; CivilisationNow, one by one, as tree leaves fall
Upon a sunny autumn day,
As ripe and mellow’d, Heav’n would call
Colonial pioneers away!

These twenty-six years have they toil’d,
And borne the burden of the day;
While making Nature’s face, so wild,
To look as civilized and gay.

Colony; HistoryEre such another time comes round,
What changes may succeed apace;
First colonists will scarce be found,
To tell the history of the place.

So, Copeland’s added to the list
Of vet good that are “no more,”
But yesterday, health would persist,
To-day, his loss may friends deplore!

page 144

Society; MoralityAs one of worth in ev’ry duty
He undertook, all round can tell;
His life has been a life of beauty,
Exemplar, to be studied well.

Land; PastColonial prestine wildness, truly
Can from the past his praise declare;
As he in his allotment, duly
Has done his part with special care!

That part which makes the desert drear,
To bud and blossom as the rose;
While his examples left appear
His faith and virtues to disclose!

His finished course was well begun,
Which still for good his efforts blest,
His sudden call pronounced “Well done!
Come enter thou into thy rest!”^*

Sadness; Joy; ReligionYe friends bereft, ’mid tears rejoice
At his advancement—’tis his joy!
His footsteps follow—hear his voice,
“Be sure to meet me ’bove the sky.”