38. Epitaph on my Ever Honoured Father

O YE whose cheek the tear of pity stains, Draw near with pious rev’rence, and attend! Here lie the loving husband’s dear remains, The tender father, and the gen’rous friend; The pitying heart that felt for human woe, The dauntless heart that fear’d no human pride; The friend of man-to vice alone a foe; For “ev’n his failings lean’d to virtue’s side.” 1

Note 1. Goldsmith.—R. B. [back]