Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE DEATH OF DR. ROBERT LEVET, A PRACTISER IN PHYSIC, by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784)


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ON THE DEATH OF DR. ROBERT LEVET, A PRACTISER IN PHYSIC, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Condemned to hope's delusive mine, / as we toil from day to day
Last Line: And freed his soul the nearest way.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson, Dr.
Variant Title(s): Lines On The Death Of Mr. Levett;dr. Levett;the Quiet Life
Subject(s): Bible; Death; Levet, Robert; Physicians; Religion; Dead, The; Doctors; Theology


Condemned to Hope's delusive mine,
As on we toil from day to day,
By sudden blasts, or slow decline,
Our social comforts drop away.

Well tried through many a varying year,
See Levet to the grave descend;
Officious, innocent, sincere,
Of every friendless name the friend.

Yet still he fills Affection's eye,
Obscurely wise, and coarseely kind;
Nor, lettered Arrogance, deny
Thy praise to merit unrefined.

When fainting Nature called for aid,
And hovering Death prepared the blow,
His vigorous remedy dispalyed
The power of art without the show.

In Misery's darkest cavern known,
His useful care was ever nigh,
Where hopeless Anguish poured his groan,
And lonely Want retired to die.

No summons mocked by chill delay,
No petty gain disdained by pride,
The modest wants of every day
The toil of every day supplied.
His virtues walked their narrow round,
Nor made a pause, nor left a void;
And sure the Eternal Master found
The single talent well employed.

The busy day, the peaceful night,
Unfelt, uncounted, glided by;
His frame was firm, his powers were bright,
Though now his eightieth year was nigh.

Then with no throbbing fiery pain,
No cold gradations of decay,
Death broke at once the vital chain,
And freed his soul the nearest way.




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