THE GENEROUS GRANBY 



how generous was the action of Granby to a commander he 

 distrusted and dishked, and whose action had for the time 

 being clouded his own rising reputation as a soldier by 

 denying him the opportunity for successful action. 



This year (1759) was an eventful one in Granby's life, for 

 there was first the court-martial which laid the way open for 

 his own promotion, followed quickly by the death of his wife 

 after a short married life of ten years. The quaint lines 

 of a contemporary bard on the latter event, deserve to be 

 given in full. 



On the Death of Lady Granby. 



" Yes, let them flow ! if tears can aught assuage 

 The bursting torrent of true sorrow's rage, 

 Let them flow on ! our griefs no limits know. 

 Let tears then mitigate the ceaseless woe. 



Why, Granby^ why, of ev'ry grace possest, 

 Of ev'ry charm that warms the human breast, 

 Of ev'ry virtue that adorns the mind. 

 That polishes or dignifies mankind — 

 Why, thus compos'd of pure celestial fire, 

 Blaze but awhile, and thus so soon expire ? 

 Look down and see what sullen darkness reigns. 

 The light withdrawn, o'er all thy once lov'd plains ! 

 If Phoebus, source of day, forbear to shine, 

 In vain we dig for beauties in the mine : 

 In vain the world its various charms displays, 

 They droop, bereft of thy enliv'ning rays. 



The wretched parent, who with fresh delight 

 Welcom'd each morn that brought thee to her sight ; 

 The orphan'd children, who were wont to trace 

 Their own sweet image in the mother's face ; 

 The ravish'd friend, in every wish supply'd 

 With thee the social minutes to divide, 

 Now waste the tedious hours in silent grief. 

 Nor find, nor hope, nor hardly ask relief ; 

 Poor shipwrecked souls ! who, by the tempest tost, 

 Deplore in thee their richest treasure lost. 



But say, my muse, what energy divine, 

 What power united of your tuneful nine. 

 Can teach my falt'ring tongue the pangs to tell 

 Of him, who feels so much, who lov'd so well ? 



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