LINES
Reading edition
OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF LIEUTENANT J——,
Who was killed by a Pistol-Shot,
ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED BY HIS FRIEND, CAPTAIN B——.
With horror dumb, tho’ guiltless, stood Beside his dying friend, The hapless wretch who made the blood Sad from his side descend! “Give me thy hand; lov’d friend, adieu!” The gen’rous suff’rer cried! “I do forgive and bless thee too;” And, having said it, died! And Pity, who stood trembling near Knew not for which to shed, So claim’d by both, her saddest tear— The living or the dead!