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Original poems on several subjects

In two volumes. By William Stevenson

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On the Death of The Reverend Mr James Hervey.
  
  
  
  
  
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237

On the Death of The Reverend Mr James Hervey.

On vulgar marks Death long had meanly spent
His loaded quiver, and his bow full bent;
Monarchs, who had been great but for a crown,
Statesmen and heroes, sons of high renown;
When lo! in Heav'n this awful mandate past,
“To-morrow's dawn be some fam'd mortal's last.”
The tidings, to our world officious sent,
Through Albion's isles on wing of lightning went:
Impiety, her heart by vipers stung,
Again blasphemes with loud audacious tongue;
Vice stalks abroad, each late retreat forsook,
With all her bold effrontery of look:
But ah! while these malignant triumph show,
Far other bosoms other feelings know!
The Muse in vain conceals her weeping eye,
And each tear Learning answers with a sigh!
Religion starts, though arm'd with tenfold shield,
And Virtue shrinks, though she disdains to yield:
—The arrow sped, Death took his aim too well,
The mitred pontiff liv'd, and Hervey fell.