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POEMS.
35


No! still preserve it! still before thy view
Keep Thou that great good Man; His plans pursue;
Recall his thoughts, words, looks, and what He was, Be you!
Though great by talents, virtue, birth, and fame,
—"The People's Friend"—was sure his proudest name:
Still in his race that gracious name should run
From patriot Sire to still more patriot Son.
Still should his Line its public virtue prove;
Till Britain's Gratitude and Britain's Love
The Epithet and Name so well shall blend,
That who says—"Fox"—has said—"the People's Friend."—

So burned in Vesta's shrine the sacred Fire:
Oft though it saw the Guardian-Maid expire,
From age to age still blazed the immortal Flame,
The Priestess altered, but the Fire the same.