22. Yet what was I on the point of
omitting? But perhaps thou, who art her spiritual father, wouldst
not have allowed me, and hast carefully concealed the wonder, and made
it known to me. It is a great point for her distinction, and in
our memory of her virtue, and regret for her departure. But
trembling and tears have seized upon me, at the recollection of the
wonder. She was just passing away, and at her last breath,
surrounded by a group of relatives and friends performing the last
offices of kindness, while her aged mother bent over her, with her soul
convulsed with envy of her departure, anguish and affection being
blended in the minds of all. Some longed to hear some burning
word to be branded in their recollection; others were eager to speak,
yet no one dared; for tears were mute and the pangs of grief
unconsoled, since it seemed sacrilegious, to think that mourning could
be an honour to one who was thus passing away. So there was
solemn silence, as if her death had been a religious ceremony.
There she lay, to all appearance, breathless, motionless, speechless;
the stillness of her body seemed paralysis, as though the organs of
speech were dead, after that which could move them was gone. But
as her pastor, who in this wonderful scene, was carefully watching her,
perceived that her lips were gently moving, and placed his ear to them,
which his disposition and sympathy emboldened him to do,—but do
you expound the meaning of this mysterious calm, for no one can
disbelieve it on your word! Under her breath she was repeating a
psalm—the last words of a psalm—to say the truth, a
testimony to the boldness with which she was departing, and blessed is
he who can fall asleep with these words, “I will lay me down in
peace, and take my rest.” Ps. iv. 8. Thus
wert thou singing, fairest of women, and thus it fell out unto thee;
and the song became a reality, and attended on thy departure as a
memorial of thee, who hast entered upon sweet peace after suffering,
and received (over and above the rest which comes to all), that sleep
which is due to the beloved, Ib. cxxvii.
2. as befitted one who
lived and died amid the words of piety.