On the Religious Memory of Catherine Thomson

By John Milton

When Faith and Love which parted from thee never,
      Had ripen’d thy just soul to dwell with God,
      Meekly thou didst resign this earthy load
      Of Death, call’d Life; which us from Life doth sever
Thy Works and Alms and all thy good Endeavour
      Staid not behind, nor in the grave were trod;
      But as Faith pointed with her golden rod,
      Follow’d thee up to joy and bliss for ever.
Love led them on, and Faith who knew them best
      Thy hand-maids, clad them o’re with purple beams
      And azure wings, that up they flew so drest,
And speak the truth of thee on glorious Theams
      Before the Judge, who thenceforth bid thee rest
      And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams.

Note: The titled is supplied by the original autograph in the Cambridge library, which says:
“On the Religious Memory of Catherine Thomson, my Christian Friend, deceased December 16, 1646.”