The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop ... To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author By the Rev. Thomas Clare |
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 | The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop |  |
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CHARACTER OF THE REVEREND JAMES TOWNLEY, FORMERLY HEAD MASTER OF MERCHANT-TAYLORS' SCHOOL.
INTRODUCED IN AN EXERCISE, SPOKEN AT THE FIRST PUBLIC EXAMINATION OF THE SCHOLARS AFTER HIS DECEASE.
------ For one lost FriendA tear will trickle, and a sigh ascend.—
Never did Friend Love more parental prove;
Never did Father bear more friendly Love;
Largely benevolent; minutely just;
Above Disguise, because above Distrust:
Sure, if he err'd, to err on Candour's side;
And only proud, to shew Contempt of Pride:
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With Genius modest, and with Truth polite.
Lively, yet liberal, his convivial Joke;
Warm Humour pointed it; Good-nature spoke.
Rich was his Fancy; tho' unlabour'd, neat
His Phrase; and chaste, tho' comic, his Conceit.
His Wit was Satire, by Address disarm'd;
The Manner won, ev'n whom th' attack alarm'd;
Save, when at Vice (to Vice alone a foe)
Full in the face of Day, he aim'd his blow;
Or sped, unseen, th' effectual Shaft; while Fame,
That hail'd the Triumph, knew not whose the Claim.
| The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | |