A soul as full of Worth, as void of Pride, Which nothing seeks to show, or needs to hide, Which nor to Guilt, nor Fear, its Caution owes, And boasts a Warmth that from no Passion flows; A Face untaught to feign! a judging Eye, That darts severe upon a rising Lye, And strikes a blush thro' frontless Flattery. All this thou wert; and being this before, Know, Kings and Fortune cannot make thee more. Then scorn to gain a Friend by servile ways, Nor wish to lose a Foe these Virtues raise; But candid, free, sincere, as you began, Proceed -- a Minister, but still a Man; Be not (exalted to whate'er degree) Asham'd of any Friend, not ev'n of Me. The Patriot's plain, but untrod path pursue; If not, 'tis I must be ashamed of You. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 11 by ALFRED TENNYSON RIVALRY IN LOVE by WILLIAM WALSH (1663-1707) PROMETHEUS UNBOUND: THE RED SEA by AESCHYLUS SONNET: BARBERRIES by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE SUN IS DOWN by JOANNA BAILLIE THE JEW'S APPEAL TO THE CHRISTIAN by J. W. BLENCOWE JR. |