LINES[57:1]
Reading edition
LINES[57:1]
WRITTEN AT THE KING'S ARMS, ROSS, FORMERLY THE HOUSE OF THE 'MAN OF ROSS'
Richer than Miser o'er his countless hoards, Nobler than Kings, or king-polluted Lords, Here dwelt the Man of Ross! O Traveller, hear! Departed Merit claims a reverent tear. Friend to the friendless, to the sick man health, 5 With generous joy he view'd his modest wealth; He heard the widow's heaven-breath'd prayer of praise, He mark'd the shelter'd orphan's tearful gaze, Or where the sorrow-shrivell'd captive lay, Pour'd the bright blaze of Freedom's noon-tide ray. 10 Beneath this roof if thy cheer'd moments pass, Fill to the good man's name one grateful glass: To higher zest shall Memory wake thy soul, And Virtue mingle in the ennobled bowl. But if, like me, through Life's distressful scene 15 Lonely and sad thy pilgrimage hath been; And if thy breast with heart-sick anguish fraught, Thou journeyest onward tempest-tossed in thought; Here cheat thy cares! in generous visions melt, And dream of Goodness, thou hast never felt! 20
1794.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Title] Written . . . Mr. Kyrle, 'the Man of Ross'. MS. E.
[
1
]
Misers o'er their Letter, 1794, J. H., MS. E, 1808.
[
4
]
the glistening tear Letter, 1794: a] the J. H., MS. E. Lines 5-10 are not in MS. 4o, 1796, 1803: in 1797 they follow l. 14 of the text.
[
5
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to the poor man wealth, Morrison MSS.
[
7
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heard] hears 1797, 1828, 1829.
[
8
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mark'd] marks 1797, 1828.
[
9
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And o'er the dowried maiden's glowing cheek, Letter, 1794, Morrison MSS.: virgin's snowy cheek, J. H., MS. E.
[
10
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Bade bridal love suffuse its blushes meek. Letter, 1794, MS. E, Morrison MSS. Pour'd] Pours 1797, 1828, 1829.
[
11
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If 'neath this roof thy wine cheer'd moments pass Letter, J. H., MS. E, MS. 4o, 1803.
[
14
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ennobled] sparkling Letter, 1794.
[
15
]
me] mine 1803.