The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse :: :: University of Virginia Library

When poor Crispinus, now, was turn'd adrift,
For Self—worn Wife, and Family, to shift,
With dubious character, tho' clear of charge;
His fortune little, and his hopes not large—
Bereft of honour, and so stripp'd of trust,
With marks of guilt which give the World disgust;
And circumstantial shows which most might shock
The feeling Mother, and her harmless Flock—
Thus did the Despot's cruelty discard,
The bleeding Daphne, and the blushing Bard!

At this strange crisis, Crispin, patient still,
Obedient bow'd to heavenly Wisdom's Will;
Nor, midst his dire disgraces once forgot
That God's right hand of Love cast all his Lot;
And, still paternal, in each time and place,
This Loving-kindness gave sufficient grace.
His Goodness limited both loss and gain—
Apportion'd pleasure, and appointed pain.
Convinc'd His Providence had thither sent,
That Sin might suffer—ponder—and repent!
His influence gave the Tyrant's heart each turn,
Aforetime to protect, and, now, to spurn!
Rais'd Anger's gale—directed Pride and Spite,
To force the pain'd returning Pilgrim's flight!
And, to fulfil His Faithfulness the while,
Led their lone steps to seek their native Soil!
Expell'd, like criminals, without a crime—
Their best decennary sunk since purest prime—
With small provision for approaching Age—
Pursued by hostile contumelious rage—
And why? their irritated hearts abus'd
The insolent demands of despot Pride refus'd;
In right resentment, so to counteract
The full completion of that cunning pact,
Thus form'd, and finish'd, with such wicked Art;
Regardless of poor Crispin's grief or smart.
He helps kept back, which justice could not claim,
Deserving neither bickerings, noise, nor blame;
But to obstruct intelligence's course
To Foes, thus acting both by fraud and force.

This was a constand theme, extended long,
In sharp epistle, or with taunting tongue;
With keen afflicting style, to damp delights,
When hoping peace, upon his native Heights;
Or frequent painful speeches, harsh and rude,
Engag'd again in slavish Servitude.