Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE DEATH OF MR. FOX, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON Poet's Biography First Line: Oh factious viper! Whose envemom'd tooth Last Line: For pitt, and pitt alone, has dared to ask. Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron Subject(s): Fox, Charles James (1749-1806) | ||||||||
THE FOLLOWING ILLIBERAL IMPROMPTU APPEARED IN A MORNING PAPER 'OUR nation's foes lament on Fox's death, But bless the hour when PITT resign'd his breath: These feelings wide, let sense and truth unclue, We give the palm where Justice points its due.' TO WHICH THE AUTHOR OF THESE PIECES SENT THE FOLLOWING REPLY OH factious viper! whose envenom'd tooth Would mangle still the dead, perverting truth; What though our 'nation's foes' lament the fate, With generous feeling, of the good and great, Shall dastard tongues essay to blast the name Of him whose meed exists in endless fame? When PITT expired in plenitude of power, Though ill success obscured his dying hour, Pity her dewy wings before him spread, For noble spirits 'war not with the dead:' His friends, in tears, a last sad requiem gave, As all his errors slumber'd in the grave. He sunk, an Atlas bending 'neath the weight Of cares o'erwhelming our conflicting state: When, lo! a Hercules in Fox appear'd, Who for a time the ruin'd fabric rear'd. He, too, is fall'n, who Britain's loss supplied, With him our fast-reviving hopes have died; Not one great people only raise his urn, All Europe's far-extended regions mourn. 'These feelings wide, let sense and truth unclue, To give the palm where Justice points its due;' Yet let not canker'd Calumny assail, Or round our statesman wind her gloomy veil. Fox! o'er whose corpse a mourning world must weep, Whose dear remains in honour'd marble sleep; For whom, at last, e'en hostile nations groan, While friends and foes alike his talents own; Fox shall in Britain's future annals shine, Nor e'en to PITT the patriot's palm resign; Which Envy, wearing Candour's sacred mask, For PITT, and PITT alone, has dared to ask. | Discover our poem explanations - click here!Other Poems of Interest...LINES COMPOSED AT GRASMERE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH SKETCH, INSCRIBED TO THE RIGHT HON. C.J. FOX by ROBERT BURNS A DIALOGUE BETWEEN GEORGE AND FOX by PHILIP FRENEAU EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES JAMES FOX, SELECTION by THOMAS MAURICE ALL IS VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER' by GEORGE GORDON BYRON A FRAGMENT by GEORGE GORDON BYRON A SPIRIT PASSED BEFORE ME by GEORGE GORDON BYRON AN ODE TO THE FRAMERS OF THE FRAME BILL by GEORGE GORDON BYRON BEPPO: A VENETIAN STORY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT DOWN AND WEPT by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |
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