TALE XI. EDWARD SHORE. Seem they grave or learned? Henry V. Act II. Scene 2. Better I were distract, So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs, And woes by strong imagination lose The knowledge of themselves. Lear, Act IV. Scene 6. TALE XI. EDWARD SHORE. GENIUS! thou gift of Heav'n! thou light divine! Evil and strong, seducing passions prey On soaring minds, and win them from their way; Who then to Vice the subject spirits give, And in the service of the conqu'ror live; Like captive Samson making sport for all, Who fear'd their strength, and glory in their fall. Genius, with virtue, still may lack the aid Implored by humble minds and hearts afraid; May leave to timid souls the shield and sword The nobler powers that once exalted high When EDWARD SHORE had reach'd his twentieth year, He felt his bosom light, his conscience clear ; Boast of these friends, to older men a guide, Proud of his parts, but gracious in his pride; He bore a gay good-nature in his face, he wore, Thus while admiring friends the Youth beheld, His own disgust their forward hopes repell'd; For he unfix'd, unfixing, look'd around, And no employment but in seeking found; He gave his restless thoughts to views refined, And shrank from worldly cares with wounded mind Rejecting trade, awhile he dwelt on laws, "But who could plead, if unapproved the cause?" A doubting, dismal tribe physicians seem'd; Divines o'er texts and disputations dream'd; War and its glory he perhaps could love, But there again he must the cause approve. Our Hero thought no deed should gain applause, Where timid virtue found support in laws; He to all good would soar, would fly all sin, By the pure prompting of the will within; "Who needs a law that binds him not to steal," Ask'd the young teacher, "can he rightly feel? “To curb the will, or arm in honour's cause, “But that some statute tells us to refrain? “ In virtue's freedom moves th' enlighten'd mind.” "Man's heart deceives him,” said a friend: “Of course," Replied the Youth, "but, has it power to force? “Unless it forces, call it as you will, “It is but wish, and proneness to the ill.” “Art thou not tempted?” “Do I fall ?” said Shore: "The pure have fallen."—" Then are pure no more: "While reason guides me, I shall walk aright, "Nor need a steadier hand, or stronger light ; "Nor this in dread of awful threats, design'd "For the weak spirit and the grov❜ling mind; "But that, engaged by thoughts and views sublime, "I wage free war with grossness and with crime." Thus look'd he proudly on the vulgar crew, Whom statutes govern, and whom fears subdue. |