"Here Ignorance, and Hunger fell, "Two foes in one, I sent to Hell! "Ye poets, who my labours see, "Come share the triumph all with me! "Ye critics! born to vex the Muse, "To mourn the grand ally you lose.” EPISTLE ΤΟ A YOUNG GENTLEMAN, ON HIS LEAVING SINCE ETON SCHOOL. BY DR. ROBERTS. now a nobler scene awakes thy care, Since manhood dawning, to fair Granta's tow'rs, Where once in life's gay spring I lov'd to roam, Invites thy willing steps; accept, dear youth, This parting strain; accept the fervent pray'r Of him who loves thee with a passion pure As ever Friendship dropp'd in human heart; May shower down every blessing, every joy Which health, which virtue, and which fame can give! Yet think not I will deign to flatter thee: Shall he, the guardian of thy faith and truth, The guide, the pilot of thy tender years, Say, gentle youth, remember'st thou the day I've seen thee panting up the hill of fame; Of honest love, when nymph and gentle swain On ev'ry object through the giddy world Which fashion to the dazzled eye presents, Fresh is the gloss of newness; look, dear youth, O look, but not admire! O let not these Raze from thy noble heart the fair records Which youth and education planted there! Let not affection's full, impetuous tide, Which riots in thy generous breast, be check'd By selfish cares; nor let the idle jeers Of laughing fools make thee forget thyself. When didst thou hear a tender tale of woe, And feel thy heart at rest? Have I not seen In thy swoln eye the tear of sympathy, The milk of human kindness? When didst thou, With envy rankling, hear a rival prais'd? When didst thou slight the wretched? When despise The modest humble suit of poverty? To look with cold eye on the charities Of brother, or of parents; think on those Whose anxious care thro' childhood's slippery path Sustain❜d thy feeble steps; whose every wish Is wafted still to thee; remember those, Even in thy heart, while memory holds her seat; |