Richer than Miser o'er his countless hoards, Nobler than Kings, or king-polluted Lords, Here dwelt the Man of Ross! O Traveller, hear! Departed Merit claims a reverent tear. Friend to the friendless, to the sick man health, With generous joy he viewed his modest wealth; He heard the widow's heaven-breathed prayer of praise, He marked the sheltered orphan's tearful gaze, Or where the sorrow-shrivelled captive lay, Pour'd the bright blaze of Freedom's noon-tide ray. Beneath this roof if thy cheered moments pass, Fill to the good man's name one grateful glass: To higher zest shall Memory wake thy soul, And Virtue mingle in the ennobled bowl. But if, like me, through life's distressful scene Lonely and sad thy pilgrimage hath been; And if thy breast with heart-sick anguish fraught, Thou journeyest onward tempest-tossed in thought; Here cheat thy cares! in generous visions melt, And dream of Goodness, thou hast never felt! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WOMAN'S INCONSTANCY by ROBERT AYTON THE MAKING OF MAN by JOHN WHITE CHADWICK THE AGONY [AGONIE] by GEORGE HERBERT AFTER LONG SILENCE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS GREEK POETESSES by ANTIPATER OF THESSALONICA PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 92. AL-ZARR by EDWIN ARNOLD EXTEMPORE ON BEING SHOWN SHOE BUCKLES WORN BY DAVID GARRICK by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |