Contempt and indigence their lot remains,
Perchance ev'n impious mockery all their gains:
At length they die, and their souls take the road
Of the great fount of light whence first they flow'd;
And then, in spite of envy, o'er their tomb
A sterile laurel buds, ay, buds and grows,
And thus protects the ashes in the gloom,
'Neath its immortal shade; but vainly shows
To teach men justice. Ages onward fleet
The lamentable drama to repeat,
Without regret or shame. Homer! thou divine,
Milton sublime, unhappy Tasso thine,
The fate to tell it. Genius yet the while
Faces misfortune undismay'd; his ears
Dwell only on the applauses to beguile,
His songs will happy gain in future years;
His glory, his misfortunes will excite
Sweet sympathy; posterity will requite
Justice against their sires, who thus condemn
Him now to grief and misery, shame on them!
From his tomb he will reign; his cherished name
Will beauty with respect and sighs proclaim.
On her eye gleams the bright and precious tear
His burning pages then will draw from her,
Kind-hearted loveliness! he sees it near;
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JOSE MARIA HEREDIA.
