Epitaph On Sir Thomas Hanmer, Bart. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJ KKGGLMNOAPQQRRSSTTBB EEUU| Thou who survey'st these walls with curious eye | A |
| Pause at this tomb where Hanmer's ashes lie | A |
| His various worth through varied life attend | B |
| And learn his virtues while thou mourn'st his end | B |
| His force of genius burn'd in early youth | C |
| With thirst of knowledge and with love of truth | C |
| His learning joined with each endearing art | D |
| Charm'd every ear and gain'd every heart | D |
| Thus early wise the endanger'd real to aid | E |
| His country call'd him from the studious shade | E |
| In life's first bloom his public toils began | F |
| At once commenced the senator and man | F |
| In business dexterous weighty in debate | G |
| Thrice ten long years he labour'd for the state | G |
| In every speech persuasive wisdom flow'd | H |
| In every act refulgent virtue glow'd | H |
| Suspended faction ceased from rage and strife | I |
| To hear his eloquence and praise his life | I |
| Resistless merit fix'd the senate's choice | J |
| Who hail'd him Speaker with united voice | J |
| Illustrious age how bright thy glories shone | K |
| When Hanmer fill'd the chair and Anne the throne | K |
| Then when dark art obscured each fierce debate | G |
| When mutual frauds perplex'd the maze of state | G |
| The Moderator firmly mild appear'd | L |
| Beheld with love with veneration heard | M |
| This task perform'd he sought no gainful post | N |
| Nor wish'd to glitter at his country's cost | O |
| Strict on the right he fix'd his stedfast eye | A |
| With temperate zeal and wise anxiety | P |
| Nor e'er from Virtue's paths was lured aside | Q |
| To pluck the flowers of pleasure or of pride | Q |
| Her gifts despis'd Corruption blush'd and fled | R |
| And Fame pursued him where Conviction led | R |
| Age call'd at length his active mind to rest | S |
| With honour sated and with cares oppress'd | S |
| To letter'd ease retired and honest mirth | T |
| To rural grandeur and domestic worth | T |
| Delighted still to please mankind or mend | B |
| The patriot's fire yet sparkled in the friend | B |
| Calm Conscience then his former life survey'd | E |
| And recollected toils endeared the shade | E |
| Till Nature call'd him to the general doom | U |
| And Virtue's sorrow dignified his tomb | U |
Samuel Johnson
(1)
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