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Article MONODY ON THE DEATH OF JOHN HOWARD, ESQ. ← Page 2 of 3 →
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Monody On The Death Of John Howard, Esq.
Break thro' the mortal barriers that divide ; And once more , wondering , clasp our sainted guide . See him , when mellowing years his hopes matur'd , When affluence , honours , ease and interest lur'tt—See him go forth , a delegated chief , Sent by high heaven , th' apostle of relief . By virtue led , and arm'd with sacred powers , See him assail the prison ' s murky towers !
The massy portals , bursting wide , disclose The dungeon , teeming with contagious woes . To bar the bold intruder ' s dareful way , Repressive exhalations load the day . Disease , with purple plagues , and putrid bands—And death , with mace ensanguin'd , threat'ning stands . But vain the pow ' rs of earth and hell conjoin , T' the ardour of the vast design .
oppose Thro' damps putrescent , sickly mists and shades , Wrapt in eiherial garb , he fearless wades . To reach ( he wretched , sooth the sufferer ' s woes , Nor toils fatigue , nor dangers can oppose . Behold that fainting form—whose nerveless arm Once strung with health , ami with young vigour warm , Bore , thro' embattled foes , a sword of fame ; And fought , and bled , to aid his country's claim— .
That fainting form , which rankling pain distorts—Whose meagre limbs a weeping wife supports , Now struck by pow ' r—bent by the massive chain—Sinks deep , beneath oppression ' s iron reign .
See ( once his bliss !) a pratling , feeble brood , Cling to his straw , and lift their cry for food ! Alas ! in vain , they pour their infant grief—The wretched . pair can furnish no relief . " And must they perish ? Will their little cry " Pass unregarded I—Must we see them die !" No—wretched group , the hour of comfort's given , A HOWARD ' seat by all-regarding heaven .
Thro' yon dark port , he beams with light humane-Relief and freedom follow in his train . He bursts the fetter ; the rank wound embalms ; Gives the ripe cordial ; the rack ' tl bosom calms : The vulture famine stills ; med'cines your woes ; And—best of gifts—he liberty bestows . O would ye view this scene—that shakes the heart , Behold the canvas warm'd by Gillray ' s art * .
His magic pencil wakens into life The speechless rapture of th' adoring wife : Th' o ' erpoweringjoy , that sinks the feeble sire ; The infant looks that beam with grateful fire . While the GREAT COMFORTER , erect , serene—Stands , minist ' ring angel of th' affecting scene . Such the pursuits this godlike mortal form'd : Such the sweet charities his bosom warm'd .
O may his great example rouse the isle To emulate the wonders of his toil ! And while fond Britain glories in his name , " Erects the column to his deathless fame ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Monody On The Death Of John Howard, Esq.
Break thro' the mortal barriers that divide ; And once more , wondering , clasp our sainted guide . See him , when mellowing years his hopes matur'd , When affluence , honours , ease and interest lur'tt—See him go forth , a delegated chief , Sent by high heaven , th' apostle of relief . By virtue led , and arm'd with sacred powers , See him assail the prison ' s murky towers !
The massy portals , bursting wide , disclose The dungeon , teeming with contagious woes . To bar the bold intruder ' s dareful way , Repressive exhalations load the day . Disease , with purple plagues , and putrid bands—And death , with mace ensanguin'd , threat'ning stands . But vain the pow ' rs of earth and hell conjoin , T' the ardour of the vast design .
oppose Thro' damps putrescent , sickly mists and shades , Wrapt in eiherial garb , he fearless wades . To reach ( he wretched , sooth the sufferer ' s woes , Nor toils fatigue , nor dangers can oppose . Behold that fainting form—whose nerveless arm Once strung with health , ami with young vigour warm , Bore , thro' embattled foes , a sword of fame ; And fought , and bled , to aid his country's claim— .
That fainting form , which rankling pain distorts—Whose meagre limbs a weeping wife supports , Now struck by pow ' r—bent by the massive chain—Sinks deep , beneath oppression ' s iron reign .
See ( once his bliss !) a pratling , feeble brood , Cling to his straw , and lift their cry for food ! Alas ! in vain , they pour their infant grief—The wretched . pair can furnish no relief . " And must they perish ? Will their little cry " Pass unregarded I—Must we see them die !" No—wretched group , the hour of comfort's given , A HOWARD ' seat by all-regarding heaven .
Thro' yon dark port , he beams with light humane-Relief and freedom follow in his train . He bursts the fetter ; the rank wound embalms ; Gives the ripe cordial ; the rack ' tl bosom calms : The vulture famine stills ; med'cines your woes ; And—best of gifts—he liberty bestows . O would ye view this scene—that shakes the heart , Behold the canvas warm'd by Gillray ' s art * .
His magic pencil wakens into life The speechless rapture of th' adoring wife : Th' o ' erpoweringjoy , that sinks the feeble sire ; The infant looks that beam with grateful fire . While the GREAT COMFORTER , erect , serene—Stands , minist ' ring angel of th' affecting scene . Such the pursuits this godlike mortal form'd : Such the sweet charities his bosom warm'd .
O may his great example rouse the isle To emulate the wonders of his toil ! And while fond Britain glories in his name , " Erects the column to his deathless fame ,