Frances Anne Kemble (1809–1893)

IF from the height of that celestial sphere

Where now thou dwell’st, spirit powerful and sweet!

Thou yet canst love the race that sojourn here,

How must thou joy, with pleasure not unmeet

For thy exalted state, to know how dear

Thy memory is held throughout the earth,

Beyond the favored land that gave thee birth.

E’en in thy seat in heaven, thou mayst receive

Thanks, praise, and love, and wonder ever new,

From human hearts, who in thy verse perceive

All that humanity calls good and true;

Nor dost thou for each mortal blemish grieve.

They from thy glorious works have fallen away,

As from thy soul its outward form of clay.