Charity, decent, modest, easy, kind, Softens the high, and rears the abject mind; Knows with just reins, and gentle hand to guide, Betwixt vile shame and arbitrary pride. Not soon provok'd, she easily forgives; And much she suffers, as she much believes. Each other gift, which God on man bestows, And endless good diffuse, and endless praise receive. As through the artist's intervening glass Our eye observes the distant planets pass; A little we discover; but allow, That more remains unseen, than art can show. So whilst our mind its knowledge would improve, (Its feeble eye intent on things above) High as we may, we lift our reason up, By Faith directed, and confirm'd by Hope: Dawnings of beams, and promises of day. Heaven's fuller effluence mocks our dazzled sight; In all his robes with all his glory on, Then constant faith, and holy hope shall die, Shalt stand before the host of Heaven confest, ENGRAVEN ON A COLUMN IN THE CHURCH OF HALSTEAD IN ESSEX. SPIRE OF WHICH, BURNT DOWN THE BY LIGHTNING, WAS REBUILT AT THE EXPENSE OF MR. SAMUEL FISKE, MDCCXVII.1 VIEW not this spire by measure given Whose basis on devotion stands. 1 The spire of this church was burnt by lightning in April, 1701, when, to prevent the flames from spreading, the supporters of the steeple were sawn asunder, and the whole While yet we draw this vital breath, Best be he call'd among good men, Who to is God this column rais'd: Though lightning strike the dome1 again, The man, who built it, shall be prais'd. fell into the churchyard. To record the liberality of Mr. Fiske, the following inscription, probably written by Mr. Prior is fixed on the south side of the chancel, on a large sheet of copper framed with wood. JOHN MORLEY To the memory of his By descent a gentleman, honest, knowing, successful. In his life pious, just, and charitable. A friend to the public, a father to the poor, the spire of this church, burnt down by 1 This has since actually happened. It hath a second time been destroyed by lightning, and rebuilt about 1765. Yet spires and towers in dust shall lie, WRITTEN IN MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYS, GIVEN TO THE DUKE OF SHREWSBURY IN FRANCE, AFTER THE PEACE, MDCCXIII. DICTATE, O mighty judge, what thou hast seen Of cities, and of courts, of books, and men; And deign to let thy servant hold the pen. Through ages thus I may presume to live, Thus shall fair Britain with a gracious smile Nor longer hence the Gallic style preferr❜d, Wisdom in English idiom shall be heard, [err'd While Talbot tells the world, where Montaigne AN EPISTLE, DESIRING THE QUEEN'S PICTURE. WRITTEN AT PARIS, MDCCXIV. BUT LEFT UNFINISHED, BY THE SUDDEN NEWS OF HER MAJESTY'S DEATH. THE train of equipage and pomp of state, My bright defender, and my dread delight, Will thy indulgent hand, fair saint, allow The mighty empress gave her high command, |