Trust me would appall thee worse, Held in clearly measured prospect: Ask not for a curse! Make not, for I overhear Thine unspoken thoughts as clear The close-brought tickings of a watch- "Tis to live again, remeasuring Youth's years, like a scene rehearsed, In thy second life-time treasuring Knowledge from the first. Hast thou felt, poor self-deceiver ! As to wish its fitful fever Could experience, ten times thine, Wouldst thou bear again Love's trouble Friendship's death-dissever'd ties; Toil to grasp or miss the bubble Of Ambition's prize? Say thy life's new guided action Worth itself is but a charter To be mankind's distinguish'd martyr." -I caught the moral, and cried, "Hail! Spirit! let us onward sail Envying, fearing, hating none→→→ Guardian Spirit, steer me on!" 1824. VALEDICTORY STANZAS ΤΟ J. P. KEMBLE, Esq. COMPOSED FOR A PUBLIC MEETING, HELD JUNE, 1817. PRIDE of the British stage, A long and last adieu ! Whose image brought th' heroic age Like fields refresh'd with dewy light Thy parting presence makes more bright And memory conjures feelings up That wine or music need not swell, As high we lift the festal cup To Kemble-fare thee well! His was the spell o'er hearts Full many a tone of thought sublime, And Painting, mute and motionless, Time may again revive, But ne'er eclipse the charm, To the deep sorrows of the Moor,- And yet a majesty possess'd His transport's most impetuous tone, High were the task-too high, Of Kemble and of Lear; But who forgets that white discrowned head, Those bursts of Reason's half-extinguish'd glare, Those tears upon Cordelia's bosom shed, In doubt more touching than despair, Had Shakspeare's self amidst you been, Friends, he had seen you melt, And triumph'd to have seen! And there was many an hour The tragic paragons had grown— And undivided favour ran From heart to heart in their applause, Save for the gallantry of man In lovelier woman's cause. Fair as some classic dome, Your KEMBLE's spirit was the home Taste, like the silent dial's power, That, when supernal light is given, Can measure inspiration's hour, And tell its height in heaven. At once ennobled and correct, His mind survey'd the tragic page, And what the actor could effect, The scholar could presage. |