On her soft bosom I reposed my cares And gain'd for every wound a healing tear. MS. Letter, 1794. [15] a] his MS. Letter, 1794, 1796, 1797, 1803. [17] That shrink asham'd from even Friendship's eye. MS. Letter, 1794, 1796, 1797. [18] wak'd] woke MS. Letter, 1794, 1796, 1797, 1803. [21] warm] high: high] warm MS. Letter, 1794. presages] presagings 1803. [25] sainted] holy MS. Letter, 1794. [26] that] who MS. Letter, 1794. [31] To pour forth thanksgiving MS. Letter, 1794, 1796, 1797, 1803. SONNETS ON EMINENT CHARACTERS CONTRIBUTED TO THE 'MORNING CHRONICLE' IN DECEMBER 1794 AND JANUARY 1795 [The Sonnets were introduced by the following letter:-- 'MR. EDITOR--If, Sir, the following Poems will not disgrace your poetical department, I will transmit you a series of _Sonnets_ (as it is the fashion to call them) addressed like these to eminent Contemporaries. 'JESUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.' S. T. C.] I[79:2] TO THE HONOURABLE MR. ERSKINE When British Freedom for an happier land Spread her broad wings, that flutter'd with affright, ERSKINE! thy voice she heard, and paus'd her flight Sublime of hope, for dreadless thou didst stand (Thy censer glowing with the hallow'd flame) 5 A hireless Priest before the insulted shrine, And at her altar pour the stream divine Of unmatch'd eloquence. Therefore thy name Her sons shall venerate, and cheer thy breast With blessings heaven-ward breath'd. And when the doom Of Nature bids thee die, beyond the tomb 11 Thy light shall shine: as sunk beneath the West Though the great Summer Sun eludes our gaze, Still burns wide Heaven with his distended blaze.[80:A] _December_ 1, 1794. FOOTNOTES: [79:2] First published in the _Morning Chronicle_, Dec. 1, 1794: included in 1796, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834. [80:A] 'Our elegant correspondent will highly gratify every reader of taste by the continuance of his exquisitely beautiful productions. No. II. shall appear on an early day.' LINENOTES: Title] Effusion v. 1796: Sonnet x. 1803: Sonnet iv. 1828, 1829, 1834. [4] for dreadless] where fearless M. C. Dec. 1, 1794. [6] A] An M. C., 1796-1803, 1828, 1829. the insulted] her injur'd M. C. [7] pour] pour'dst M. C., 1796, 1803. [8] unmatch'd] matchless M. C. [10] With heav'n-breath'd blessings; and, when late the doom M. C. [11] die] rise 1803. [13-14] Though the great Sun not meets our wistful gaze Still glows wide Heaven M. C. [Below l. 14] Jesus College Cambridge M. C. II[80:1] BURKE As late I lay in Slumber's shadowy vale, With wetted cheek and in a mourner's guise, I saw the sainted form of FREEDOM rise: She spake! not sadder moans the autumnal gale--