38. Epitaph on my Ever Honoured Father

O YE whose cheek the tear of pity stains,

Draw near with pious rev’rence, and attend!

Here lie the loving husband’s dear remains,

The tender father, and the gen’rous friend;

The pitying heart that felt for human woe,

The dauntless heart that fear’d no human pride;

The friend of man-to vice alone a foe;

For “ev’n his failings lean’d to virtue’s side.” 1

Note 1. Goldsmith.—R. B. [back]