TRIBUTARY VERSES. 41| 



His friends can truly speak how large liis claim 

 And " Life was only wanting to his fame." 

 Art Thou, indeed, dear youth, for ever fled ? 

 So quickly number "d with the silent dead. 

 Too sure I read it iu the downcast eye. 

 Hear it in mourning friendship's stifled sigh. 

 Ah ! could esteem, or admiration, save 

 So dear an object from th' untimely grave. 

 This transcript faint had not essay "d to tell, 

 The loss of one beloved, revered so well. 

 Vainly I try, even eloquence were weak, 

 The silent sorrow that I feel, to speak. 

 Ko more my hours of pain thy voice will cheer, 

 And bind my spirit to this lower sphere : 

 Bend o'er my suffering frame with gentle sigh, 

 And bid new fire relume my languid eye : 

 No more the pencil's mimic art command, 

 And with kind pity guide my trembling hand ; 

 Kor dwell upon the page in fond regard, 

 To trace the meaning of the Tuscan bard. 

 Vain all the pleasures Thou canst not inspire, 

 And " in my breast th' imperfect joys expire." 

 I fondly hoped thy hand might grace my shrine. 

 And little dreamed I should have wept o'er thine : 

 In Fancy's eye methought I saw thy lyre 

 With virtue's energies each bosom fire ; 

 I saw admiring nations press around, 

 Eager to catch the animating sound : 

 And when, at length, sunk in the shades of night. 

 To brighter worlds thy spirit wing'd its flight, 

 Thy country hail'd thy venerated shade. 

 And each graced honour to thy memory paid. 

 Such was the fate hope pictured to my view — 

 But who, alas ! e'er found hope's visions true ? 

 And, ah ! a dark presage, when last we met, 

 Sadden'd the social hour with deep regret ; 

 "When Thou thy portrait from the minstrel drew. 

 The living Edwin starting on my view — 

 Silent, I asked of heaven a lengthened date ; 

 His genius thine, but not like thine his fate. 

 Shuddering I gazed, and saw too sure reveal'd, 

 The fatal truth, by hope till then conceal'd. 

 Too strong the portion of celestial flame 

 For its weak tenement, the fragile frame ; 



