Classic Poem

ON THE LATE EARL OF LITCHFIELD, CHANCELLOR OF OXFORD .

Sacred to the Memory of
GEORGE HENRY, Third Earl of L ITCHFIELD ,
Whose eminent abilities, elegance of manners, and liberality of mind,
Conspired to form a character
Which at once attracts our esteem and our affection.
He cultivated every species of Literature
With equal solidity and sagacity,
With a judgment strong, yet refined, and a peculiar felicity of taste.
Skill'd to blend dignity with ease; to unite affability with propriety;
And to embellish good sense with all the graces of wit;
He became a conspicuous pattern of those amiable accomplishments
Which enliven conversation and adorn society.
These shining talents were accompanied by virtues,
Which, as they exalt humanity, reflect the strongest lustre on nobility;
Unbiass'd integrity, unblemished honour, and those unshaken principles of true religion,
Which enabled him to sustain the slow but visible
advances of death, with unaffected fortitude.
To such distinguished merit
The University of Oxford, of which he was elected
Chancellor, bore ample testimony;
And will ever acknowledge and remember
With what unwearied attention he protected and promoted her real interest,
As a friend — a guardian — a patron — and a benefactor.