Poems Chiefly Written in Retirement, By John Thelwall; With Memoirs of the Life of the Author. Second Edition |
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95
ELEGY On the death of a favourite Schoolfellow, Phillip Bonafous, who died of the small pox, in 1785.
I GRIEVE to think how quick each blossom fades
That decorates the thorny road of life—
How Sorrow's worm the tender bud invades,
How oft 'tis blighted by Misfortune's strife.
That decorates the thorny road of life—
How Sorrow's worm the tender bud invades,
How oft 'tis blighted by Misfortune's strife.
I grieve to think how Disappointment's breath
Shrinks the young foliage of our budding hopes!
How oft the sudden hand of cruel Death
Each sweetest branch of young enjoyment lops.
Shrinks the young foliage of our budding hopes!
How oft the sudden hand of cruel Death
Each sweetest branch of young enjoyment lops.
I had a friend—O, Lucio, ever dear!
Still shall thy memory in my bosom live;
Thy virtues bloom in recollection here,
Dwell on my tongue, and in my theme survive.
Still shall thy memory in my bosom live;
Thy virtues bloom in recollection here,
Dwell on my tongue, and in my theme survive.
I had a friend—tho Heav'n had snatch'd away
Each promis'd comfort of my tender age;
In him it seem'd my losses to repay—
My sweet companion on life's toilsome stage!
Each promis'd comfort of my tender age;
In him it seem'd my losses to repay—
My sweet companion on life's toilsome stage!
How fraught with tender feelings was his mind!
O'erflowing font of sensibility!
To friends how true! to relatives how kind!
In generous zeal, how boundless and how free!
O'erflowing font of sensibility!
To friends how true! to relatives how kind!
In generous zeal, how boundless and how free!
96
But ah, Disease, with envious hand, assail'd
The vital stem of each remaining joy:
O'er his fair form the noxious pest prevail'd;
Prompt to deform, and powerful to destroy.
The vital stem of each remaining joy:
O'er his fair form the noxious pest prevail'd;
Prompt to deform, and powerful to destroy.
Who now shall sooth my sorrow-clouded mind?
Who now the sad reflection shall relieve?
Where shall my heart consoling friendship find?
Misfortune's children still unpity'd grieve.
Who now the sad reflection shall relieve?
Where shall my heart consoling friendship find?
Misfortune's children still unpity'd grieve.
The proud carnation, costly child of art,
Droops not unheeded on the cultur'd plain.
The florist's hand shall soon his aid impart,
With care to rear it, and with props sustain.
Droops not unheeded on the cultur'd plain.
The florist's hand shall soon his aid impart,
With care to rear it, and with props sustain.
But if some hedge-row flower (of humbler worth)
By Erus torn, the wounded head recline,
The careless traveller treads it to the earth—
The herd, unpitying, to its fate resign.
By Erus torn, the wounded head recline,
The careless traveller treads it to the earth—
The herd, unpitying, to its fate resign.
Not so didst thou, my heart's elected friend!
You kindly courted when the world grew coy;
When bland civility was at an end,
And the cold kinsman turn'd the averted eye.
You kindly courted when the world grew coy;
When bland civility was at an end,
And the cold kinsman turn'd the averted eye.
For this shall Memory oft, with glistening tear,
Thy form, thy friendship, and thy name renew—
Still Lucio dwell in recollection here,
And all his virtues blossom in my view.
Thy form, thy friendship, and thy name renew—
Still Lucio dwell in recollection here,
And all his virtues blossom in my view.
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