Page:The Carcanet.djvu/43

Strength to the weak, and to the wounded balm;
And strenuous action next.
Southey. 

 

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The following little effusion of grief and tenderness is said to have been written by Lord Caithness, whose unfortunate attachment and death are yet in remembrance.

Can time that wretched bosom cheer
 By pride and passion shook?
Or bathe the heart, but with a tear,
 Despairing love has broke?

Ah, no !—before that cheerless eye,
 The form of peace retires;
And in that withering breast the ray
 Of human hope expires!

 

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On mere indifferent objects common bounty will shower relief, but when our bitterest foe is sunk, disarmed, and desolate,—Then! to feel the mercies of a pitying God, to raise him from the dust, and that best way to triumph over him, is heroic goodness. Thomson.

 

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Then, favor'd being, labour to fulfil
The first, best purpose of thy sojourn here;
Exert thy talent, and thro' toil or ill,
Thy course with unabated ardour steer;