Book 2 — I[79:2]
Reading edition
TO THE HONOURABLE MR. ERSKINE
When British Freedom for an happier land Spread her broad wings, that flutter'd with affright, Erskine! thy voice she heard, and paus'd her flight Sublime of hope, for dreadless thou didst stand [80](Thy censer glowing with the hallow'd flame) 5 A hireless Priest before the insulted shrine, And at her altar pour the stream divine Of unmatch'd eloquence. Therefore thy name Her sons shall venerate, and cheer thy breast With blessings heaven-ward breath'd. And when the doom 10 Of Nature bids thee die, beyond the tomb Thy light shall shine: as sunk beneath the West Though the great Summer Sun eludes our gaze, Still burns wide Heaven with his distended blaze.[80:A]
December 1, 1794.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Title] Effusion v. 1796: Sonnet x. 1803: Sonnet iv. 1828, 1829, 1834.
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for dreadless] where fearless M. C. Dec. 1, 1794.
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A] An M. C., 1796-1803, 1828, 1829. the insulted] her injur'd M. C.
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pour] pour'dst M. C., 1796, 1803.
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unmatch'd] matchless M. C.
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With heav'n-breath'd blessings; and, when late the doom M. C.
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die] rise 1803.
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Though the great Sun not meets our wistful gaze Still glows wide Heaven
M. C.
Below l. 14 Jesus College Cambridge M. C.