THE
SMILE.
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OH!
say for whom Pity, reclin’d on yon bier,
Thus discharges the tribute of woe?
’Tis for Edwin;—who lately could banish
the tear
Which he now has occasion’d to flow!
Form’d to taste all the innocent transports
of youth
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5 |
No alloy
could his pleasures beguile;
And his soul the resemblance of candour and truth,
Was express’d on his face by a Smile.
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2.
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When
that Smile once appear’d all was comfort and
mirth
And sollicitude fell from the mind;
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10 |
Whilst
the beauty and virtues of Edwin gave birth,
To the love and esteem of mankind.
But the world, and the notions of mortals below,
Little joy to his soul could impart;
And that Smile which illumin’d him
most, us’d to glow
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15 |
| When
caress’d by the girl of his heart! |
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3.
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Twas
Eliza he lov’d; and had hop’d in her
charms
Every bliss, every treasure to see;
But Eliza was faithless and fled to the arms
Of a wealthier suitor than he:
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20 |
When
he heard it, his conscience with purity bright
Seem’d to scorn all the horrors of care;
But ’twas finish’d! the smile of content
and delight,
Was exchang’d for a Smile of despair.
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4.
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| At
the Altar undaunted he stood by her side |
25 |
When
her hand to his rival was given;
And in silence invok’d on the fond-faithless
bride
The protection and blessing of Heaven! [Page
22]
At the feast—amidst riot and merriment’s
sound,
He appear’d every passion to brave;
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30 |
And
he smiled as the joke and the bottle went round,
But that Smile was the Smile of the grave!
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5.
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And
’twas just! as the day, when Eliza he knew,
All his hopes of enjoyment arose;
So the day when his hopes with her
promises flew,
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35 |
Mark’d
his sojourn on earth with its close!
Yet has innocence triumph’d o’er sorrow’s
last strife;
Angels caught his expiring breath;
And the Smile that he wore thro’
the tenor of life,
Has not left Edwin’s features in Death! [Page
23]
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40 |
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