Say thy life's new guided action Worth itself is but a charter To be mankind's distinguish'd martyr." —I caught the moral, and cried, "Hail! Spirit! let us onward sail Envying, fearing, hating none Guardian Spirit, steer me on!" 1824. VALEDICTORY STANZAS TO J. P. KEMBLE, Esq. COMPOSED FOR A PUBLIC MEETING, HELD JUNE, 1817. PRIDE of the British stage, Whose image brought th' heroic age Like fields refresh'd with dewy light Thy parting presence makes more bright That wine or music need not swell, As high we lift the festal cup To Kemble-fare thee well! His was the spell o'er hearts Full many a tone of thought sublime, And Painting, mute and motionless, Time may again revive, But ne'er eclipse the charm, To the deep sorrows of the Moor,— And yet a majesty possess'd His transport's most impetuous tone, High were the task-too high, Of Kemble and of Lear; But who forgets that white discrowned head, Those bursts of Reason's half-extinguish'd glare, Those tears upon Cordelia's bosom shed, In doubt more touching than despair, Had Shakspeare's self amidst you been, Friends, he had seen you melt, And triumph'd to have seen! And there was many an hour The tragic paragons had grown- And undivided favour ran From heart to heart in their applause, Save for the gallantry of man In lovelier woman's cause. Fair as some classic dome, Your KEMBLE's spirit was the home Taste, like the silent dial's power, And tell its height in heaven. His mind survey'd the tragic page, And what the actor could effect, The scholar could presage. These were his traits of worth : And must we lose them now! And shall the scene no more shew forth 'Tis all a transient hour below; And we that would detain thee here, Ourselves as fleetly go! Yet shall our latest age This parting scene review: |