“Thus had I written—so a friend advised,
Whom as the first of counsellors I prized;
The best of guides to my assuming pen,
The best of fathers, husbands, judges, men.
‘This will he read,’ I said, ‘and I shall hear }
Opinion wise, instructive, mild, sincere; }
For I that mind respect, for I the man revere.’ }
“I had no boding fear, but thought to see
Those who were thine, who look’d for all to thee;
And thou wert all! there was, when thou wert by, 10
Diffused around the rare felicity
That wisdom, worth, and kindness can impart,
To form the mind and gratify the heart.
“Yes! I was proud to speak of thee as one
Who had approved the little I had done,
And taught me what I should do!—Thou wouldst raise
My doubting spirit by a smile of praise
And words of comfort! great was thy delight }
Fear to expel, and ardour to excite, }
To wrest th’ oppressor’s arm, and do the injured right. 20}
“Thou hadst the tear for pity, and thy breast
Felt for the sad, the weary, the oppress’d!
And now, afflicting change! all join with me,
And feel, lamented Romilly, for thee.”