MAN SPEAKER. The praise attending pomp and power, The incense given to Kings, Are but the trappings of an hour— Mere transitory things: The base bestow them; but the good agree To spurn the venal gifts as flattery. But when to pomp and power are join'd An equal dignity of mind; When titles are the smallest claim; When wealth, and rank, and noble blood, But aid the power of doing good; Then all their trophies last—and flattery turns to fame. Blest spirit thou, whose fame, just born to bloom, Shall spread and flourish from the tomb; How hast thou left mankind for Heaven! E'en now reproach and faction mourn, And, wondering how their rage was born, Request to be forgiven! Alas! they never had thy hate; Unmoved, in conscious rectitude, Thy towering mind self-centred stood, Nor wanted man's opinion to be great. In vain, to charm thy ravish'd sight, A thousand gifts would fortune send; In vain, to drive thee from the right, A thousand sorrows urged thy end: Like some well-fashion'd arch thy patience stood, And purchased strength from its increasing load. Pain met thee like a friend to set thee free, Affliction still is virtue's opportunity! SONG.—BY A MAN. Virtue, on herself relying, Every passion hush'd to rest, Loses every pain of dying, In the hopes of being blest. Every added pang she suffers, Some increasing good bestows. And every shock that malice offers, Only rocks her to repose. WOMAN SPEAKER. Yet, ah! what terrors frown'd upon her fate— Death, with its formidable band, Fever, and pain, and pale consumptive care, Determined took their stand. Nor did the cruel ravagers design To finish all their efforts at a blow; But, mischievously slow, They robb'd the relic and defaced the shrine. With unavailing grief, Despairing of relief, Her weeping children round Beheld each hour Death's growing power, And trembled as he frown'd. As helpless friends who view from shore The labouring ship, and hear the tempest roar, [Illustration: "_As helpless friends who view from shore The labouring ship, and hear the tempest roar._"—_p._ 236. ]