( 16 )
Madam! I grant, your loss is great,
nor little is your gain;
Let that be weigh'd; when weigh'd aright,
it richly pays your pain;
nor little is your gain;
Let that be weigh'd; when weigh'd aright,
it richly pays your pain;
When heaven would kindly set us free,
and earth's enchantment end;
It takes the most effectual means,
and robs us of a FRIEND:
and earth's enchantment end;
It takes the most effectual means,
and robs us of a FRIEND:
But such a friend!———and sigh no more?
'tis prudent; but severe:
Heaven aid my weakness, and I drop
all sorrow—with this tear.
'tis prudent; but severe:
Heaven aid my weakness, and I drop
all sorrow—with this tear.
Perhaps your settled grief to sooth
I should not vainly strive,
But with soft balm your pain assuage,
had he been still alive;
I should not vainly strive,
But with soft balm your pain assuage,
had he been still alive;
Whose frequent aid brought kind relief,
in my distress of thought,
Ting'd with his beams my cloudy page,
and beautify'd a fault.
in my distress of thought,
Ting'd with his beams my cloudy page,
and beautify'd a fault.
To touch our passion's secret springs,
was his peculiar care;
And deep his happy genius div'd
in bosoms of the fair;
was his peculiar care;
And deep his happy genius div'd
in bosoms of the fair;
Na-
