The rich - could they a constant friend condemn? believed for who should flatter them? The poor Thus on her name though all disgrace attend, In every creature she beholds a friend. (1) (1) ["With many nervous lines and ingenious allusions, this poem has something of the languor which seems inseparable from an allegory which exceeds the length of an epigram,”—JEFFREY.] REFLECTIONS UPON THE SUBJECT Quid juvat errores, mersá jam puppe, fateri? CLAUDIAN. in Eutropium, lib. ii. lin. 7. What avails it, when shipwreck'd, that error appears ? Are the crimes we commit wash'd away by our tears? (1) (1) [See antè, p. 21.] REFLECTIONS. WHEN all the fiercer passions cease Its weakness when the body feels, When, on experience, hope relies; But use it, as it quickly flies, With sober aim to serious end; When prudence bounds our utmost views, And bids us wrath and wrong forgive; When we can calmly gain or lose, 'Tis then we rightly learn to live. Yet thus, when we our way discern, Behold! we're near our journey's end We've trod the maze of error round, Long wand'ring in the winding glade; And, now the torch of truth is found, It only shows us where we stray'd: Light for ourselves, what is it worth, When we no more our way can choose? For others, when we hold it forth, They, in their pride, the boon refuse. By long experience taught, we now And all their faults discern in those; We can for sacred truth forego; Now 't is our boast that we can quell And their impetuous wrath assuage: |