Book 2 — DUTY SURVIVING SELF-LOVE[459:1]
Reading edition
DUTY SURVIVING SELF-LOVE[459:1]
THE ONLY SURE FRIEND OF DECLINING LIFE
A SOLILOQUY
Unchanged within, to see all changed without, Is a blank lot and hard to bear, no doubt. Yet why at others' wanings should'st thou fret? Then only might'st thou feel a just regret, [460]Hadst thou withheld thy love or hid thy light 5 In selfish forethought of neglect and slight. O wiselier then, from feeble yearnings freed, While, and on whom, thou may'st—shine on! nor heed Whether the object by reflected light Return thy radiance or absorb it quite: 10 And though thou notest from thy safe recess Old Friends burn dim, like lamps in noisome air, Love them for what they are; nor love them less, Because to thee they are not what they were.
1826.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
[
4
]
When thy own body first the example set. MS. S. T. C.
[
5-11
]
om. MS. S. T. C.
[
8
]
While—on whom] While—on whom 1828, 1829.
[
9
]
object] Body MS. S. T. C.
[
13
]
are] are 1828, 1829.
[
14
]
thee—were] thee—were 1828, 1829.