380 PHILOCTETES IN LEMNOS. 



To give the last finish to the portrait of Thiers. we must add that 

 when Laffitte, in consequence of his immense sacrifices in behalf of 

 the national freedom and national independence of France, was 

 obliged to become a bankrupt, his former protege was amongst the 

 first who accomplished his total ruin, having concurred with his 

 master Louis Philippe in stripping the too generous banker of all 

 his domains and chateaus. 



PHILOCTETES IN LEMNOS. 



7TWS ffOTC 7T60S 7TOT' a/KpiTrA^KTCDC poQlCW /J.6vOS K\V(OV, 



TTWS &pa iravSdKpvrov ovru fiiorav Karfff^v' 



tv avrbs fa 7rp<fcoupos, OVK ^x tav P&ru', 



ovSe T\V > eyx&poav KaKoyetrova, 



Trap' y ar6vov hvrirvirov jSopujSpwr' aTTOK\avffeifi/ a.lp.a.ri]()6v . 



Soph. Phil. 687-695. 



OH ! could I seize one short-lived rest from toil, 



And cast mine anguish on this barren soil : 



Could I one secret, blissful moment gain, 



To interrupt eternity of pain, 



Ne'er should these impious struggling murmurs vent 



Reproaches, on the lot which Jove hath sent ! 



But when such tortures are to me confined 



And not in common forged for all mankind ; 



Can mortal frailty, void of heavenly aid, 



Sustain its wretched load, and not upbraid ? 



Will not oblivion paint some gladsome dream, 



Or plunge remembrance in her grateful stream ? 



Else, Death, approach, to me no fearful sight, 



Thy ready victim loathes the odious light.* 



What earthly charms can dry my flowing tears 



And sooth the pathway of my rugged years ? 



Can stream, or grove, or fairest Nature's grace 



Assuage my wounds, and memory efface 



Which ever longs, tho* shrinking to contrast 



The present with the shadow of the past? 



If home, nor friends, nor empire could prevail 



Will Lemnian deserts teach me not to wail ? 



Oh Solitude ! let lonely wisdom praise 



Thy dreary nights, thy melancholy days :f 



Yet would she 'mid this horrid scene rejoice, 



To gaze on man, and hear the human voice ; 



Thou cruel isle ! Inhospitable rock, 



In savage echo glorying to mock 



Thy captive's woe : J to mingle in thy cave, 



Redoubled sorrows with the roaring waves ; 



Hath none, but I e'er reach'd thy sullen port, 



* Compare Soph. Phil. 797. 



& Qdvare Qdvarc, irois ael Ka\ov/j.vos 

 oSro) KO.T i^uap ov Sfocf /ioAetj/ TTore ; 

 t O Solitude I where are the charms 



That Sages have seen in thy face "? COWPER. 

 t oA\a 5e (/xwvfjs TTJS ^ttere'paj 

 EpfjLaiov opos TrpoeVejuiJ/ej' e/itol 

 orovov avvirvirov %( tftafa /J.(Vif>- S. Phil. 1458. 



