Ballads and other verses :: :: University of Virginia Library

Reach a hand out to Monmouth, and not pass him by
With a stare of contempt and a pitiless eye.
He is poor, he is sad, and a drunkard, I fear,—
Reach a hand out to Monmouth, give Monmouth a tear!

Ah, God! what a ravage of sin and decay!
What a wreck of the youth once so genial and gay!
So witty at college, so full of brave cheer!—
Reach a hand out to Monmouth, give Monmouth a tear!

How proudly we marshalled ourselves in his name,
When the country demanded his gifts for her fame!
How his voice in the Senate rang lofty and clear!—
Reach a hand out to Monmouth, give Monmouth a tear!

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A vassal to Pleasure, of Error the slave,
O'ermastered by passions that drag to the grave,
We have watched him sink deeper and faster each year,—
Reach a hand out to Monmouth, give Monmouth a tear!

Too late to restore him?—'t is never too late
To strive for a soul drifting down to its fate.
His heart is not dead; bring him back from the rear,—
Reach a hand out to Monmouth, give Monmouth a tear!

Let us rally around him, and never despise
A brother in ruins, but help him to rise.
If we win, what a rapture will be our reward!
For Monmouth again of himself will be lord.