226 &f)amomiIf. 
When a great mind falls, 
The noble nature of man’s generous heart 
Doth bear him up against the shame of ruin, 
With gentle censure, using but his faults 
As modest means to introduce his praise; 
For pity, like a dewy twilight, comes 
To close th’ oppressive splendour of his day, 
And they who but admired him in his height 
His altered state lament, and love him fallen. 
Joanna Baillie. 
Oh, more or less than man—in high or low, 
Battling with nations, flying from the field; 
Now making monarchs’ necks thy footstool, now 
More than thy meanest soldier taught to yield; 
An empire thou couldst crush, command, rebuild, 
But govern not thy pettiest passion, nor, 
However deeply in men’s spirits skilled, 
Look through thine own, nor curb the lust of war, 
Nor learn that tempted fate will leave the loftiest star. 
Yet well thy soul hath brooked the turning tide 
With that untaught innate philosophy, 
Which, be it wisdom, coldness, or deep pride, 
Is gall and wormwood to an enemy. 
When the whole host of hatred stood hard by, 
To watch and mock thee shrinking, thou hast smiled 
With a sedate and all-enduring eye;— 
When fortune fled her spoiled and favourite child, 
He stood unbowed beneath the ills upon him piled. 
Byron. 
