Classic Poem

This unambitious stone preserves a name
To friendship sanctified, untouch'd by fame;
A son this rais'd, by holy duty fir'd,
These sung a friend, by friendly zeal inspir'd.
No venal falshood stain'd the filial tear;
Unbought, unask'd, the friendly praise sincere;
Both for a good man weep, without offence,
Who led his days in ease and innocence.
His tear rose honest; honest rose his smile;
His heart no falshood knew, his tongue no guile;
A simple mind with plain just notions fraught,
Nor warp'd by wit, nor by proud science taught;
Nature's plain light still, rightly understood,
That never hesitates the fair and good —
Who view'd self-balanc'd, from his calm retreat,
The storms that vex the busy and the great,
Unmingling in the scene, whate'er befel
Pitied his suffering kind, and wish'd 'them well;
Careless if monarchs frown'd, or statesmen smil'd,
His purer joy, his friend, his wife, or child;
Constant to act the hospitable part,
Love in his look, and welcome in his heart;
Such unpriz'd blessings did his life employ,
The social moment, the domestic joy,
A joy beneficent, warm, cordial, kind,
That leaves no doubt, no grudge, no sting behind:
The heart-born rapture that from virtue springs,
The poor man's portion God withheld from kings.
This life at decent time was bid to cease,
Finish'd among his weeping friends in peace:
Go, traveller, wish his shade eternal rest,
Go, be the same, for this is to be blest.