Lines to Mrs. Charles D. :: :: University of Virginia Library

Lines to Mrs. Charles D.

Campbell, Thomas (1777-1844)

[section]

LINES TO MRS. CHARLES D--- (IN HER ALBUM).

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

188

LINES TO MRS. CHARLES D--- (IN HER ALBUM).

Could prayers avert the scythe of Time,
I'd pray, in after ages,
One blossom of my humbler rhyme
To live among these pages!

189

Your worth shall bid the blossom breathe
An undespised oblation;
'Tis from the Altar that the wreath
Derives its consecration.

Worth, which the best of human kind
For friendship have selected;
And Sense, which on the brightest mind
Has social light reflected.

Yet, whosoe'er for your regards
May sue, more famed and noted,
Let me, at least, of English Bards,
Be held—Your most devoted,

Thomas Campbell

These verses, now for the first time printed, have been communicated to the editor by Dr. Beattie, the poet's friend and biographer. The verses are dated from Sussex Chambers, Duke Street, St. James's, the house in which Milton wrote his Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio.