Pekcv, thou hast seen the musk rose newly blown, disclose its bashful beauties to the sun 'till an unfriendly chilling storm descended, crushed all its blushing glories in their pride, bowed its fair head, and blasted all its sweetness.
So drooped the maid beneath the cruel weight of my sad tale.
The following inscription is placed on an urn in the wilderness of Mount Edgcombe to the memory of the late Countess :
To the memory of her whose taste embellished, whose presence added charms to
these retreats,
(Herself their brightest ornament.) This urn is erected in the spot she loved.
The rose is fairest when 'tis budding new,
And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears;
The rose is sweetest wash'd with morning dew, And love is loveliest when embalmed in tears.
Scott.
The extreme partialities of friendship, though founded on error should never be considered as the effusions of flattery, but as proofs of affection: thus what too frequently excites vanity should strengthen esteem.
