University of Virginia Library

VERSES TO THE MEMORY OF DR. LLOYD,

Spoken at the Westminster Election next after his decease.

Our good old friend is gone, gone to his rest,
Whose social converse was itself a feast.
O ye of riper years, who recollect,
How once ye lov'd, and eyed him with respect,
Both in the firmness of his better day,
While yet he rul'd you with a father's sway,
And when impair'd by time, and glad to rest,
Yet still with looks in mild complacence drest,
He took his annual seat, and mingled here
His sprightly vein with yours, now drop a tear!
In morals blameless, as in manners meek,
He knew no wish, that he might blush to speak,
But, happy in whatever state below,
And richer than the rich in being so,
Obtain'd the hearts of all, and such a meed
At length from one as made him rich indeed.
Hence then, ye titles, hence, not wanted here!
Go! garnish merit in a higher sphere,
The brows of those, whose more exalted lot
He could congratulate, but envy'd not!
Light lie the turf, good Senior, on thy breast,
And tranquil, as thy mind was, be thy rest!
Tho' living thou hadst more desert than fame,
And not a stone now chronicles thy name!