University of Virginia Library

“I have observed,” said Richard, “when I ask
“Of those around us, and your memory task
“For their Adventures and their Lives, what fate,
“How tragic most the Stories you relate.
“Is it that most are wretched, or have we
“The evil fate to live with Misery?”—

“Not so perhaps, but Men of common Lives,
“Who live contented with themselves and Wives,
“Afford no Subject for the Muse than Mirth. [OMITTED]
“Their [lowly] comforts, or a day's delight,
“Do not afford [us] matter when we write;
“[Though] all the strange prodigious things they do
“Are such as move them and are tragic too.
“Amusements, pleasures, comforts, days of Joy,
“May a Man's Mind, but not his Muse, employ;
“Marriage and Births of Heirs are pleasant things,
“But seldom help a poet when he sings.
“A Day of Hunting, fishing, shooting, these—
“Music and Dancing, Cards and fiddles—please;
“And wealth acquired or wealth bequeathed impart,
“More than they ought, rejoicing to the Heart.
“But these, though Man might for his Comforts choose,
“Can give no Inspiration to his Muse.
“But, my dear Richard, when this transient Joy
“Some sudden Ills and dire Events destroy;
“When the fond wife [or] faithful husband [dies]—
“Fate unforseen!—when Wealth takes wings and [flies];
“When by Deceit a Maiden's peace is lost;
“When tender Love by cruel fate is crost;
“When groaning Poverty and fell Disease
“Upon the happy and the wealthy seize,
“And when on Man's soft Heart these Evils press:
“The awakened Poet paints the due Distress;
“Tells how it came, and presses on the Mind
“That we are Men, and of the suffering Kind.
“We own the grieving and opprest as Friends;
“The Mind enlarges as its Grief extends;
“And Grief that's painted true improves the Heart it rends.” [OMITTED]