Classic Poem

—I could have borne affliction's sharpest thorn;
——The sting of malice—poverty's deep wound;
—The snears of vulgar pride, the idiot's scorn;
——Neglected Love, false Friendship's treach'rous sound;

—I could, with patient smile, extract the dart
Base calumny had planted in my heart;
The fangs of envy; agonizing pain;
All, all, nor should my steady soul complain:

—E'ndash had relentless Fate, with cruel pow'r,
——Darken'd the sunshine of each youthful day;
—While from my path she snatch'd each transient flow'r,
——Not one soft sigh my sorrow should betray;
—But where Ingratitude's fell poisons pour,
——Hope shrinks subdued—and Life's best Joys decay.

—I could have borne affliction's sharpest thorn;
——The sting of malice—poverty's deep wound;
—The snears of vulgar pride, the idiot's scorn;
——Neglected Love, false Friendship's treach'rous sound;

—I could, with patient smile, extract the dart
Base calumny had planted in my heart;
The fangs of envy; agonizing pain;
All, all, nor should my steady soul complain:

—E'ndash had relentless Fate, with cruel pow'r,
——Darken'd the sunshine of each youthful day;
—While from my path she snatch'd each transient flow'r,
——Not one soft sigh my sorrow should betray;
—But where Ingratitude's fell poisons pour,
——Hope shrinks subdued—and Life's best Joys decay.