An Epistle in Verse, occasioned by the death of James Boswell, Esquire of Auchinleck -- Addressed to the Rev. Dr. T. D. By the Rev. Samuel Martin |
 |
 | An Epistle in Verse, occasioned by the death of James Boswell, Esquire |  |
Not with unfeeling heart, or cruel hand,
I hold a scroll, his memory to brand:
As painted by himself, with passing eye,
We glance the picture, not without a sigh:
Not without much esteem, and much good will,
Friendship's embalming labours to fulfil:
Her feelings, and his merits to recite,
And place his virtues in the purest light.
But friendship's self will say, Beware, beware,
And Boswell owns, I fell into the snare:
Even from a savage and much clouded praise,
His Johnson could an ethic labour raise.
I hold a scroll, his memory to brand:
As painted by himself, with passing eye,
We glance the picture, not without a sigh:
Not without much esteem, and much good will,
Friendship's embalming labours to fulfil:
Her feelings, and his merits to recite,
And place his virtues in the purest light.
16
And Boswell owns, I fell into the snare:
Even from a savage and much clouded praise,
His Johnson could an ethic labour raise.
| An Epistle in Verse, occasioned by the death of James Boswell, Esquire | |