University of Virginia Library

------ How like a hateful ape
Detected, grinning, midst his pilfer'd hoard,
A cunning man appears, whose secret frauds
Are open'd to the day! scorn'd, hooted, mock'd!
Scorn'd by the very fools who most admired
His worthless art. But when a great mind falls,
The noble nature of man's generous heart
Doth bear him up against the shame of ruin:
With gentle censure using but his faults
As modest means to introduce his praise;
For pity like a dewy twilight comes
To close th' oppressive splendour of his day,
And they who but admired him in his height,
His alter'd state lament, and love him fallen.
Basil, a Tragedy by Joanna Baillie.
Last scene, last act.