Page:The Village - Crabbe (1783).djvu/39

 As the tall oak, whose vigorous branches form An ample shade and brave the wildest storm, High o'er the subject wood is seen to grow, The guard and glory of the trees below; Till on its head the fiery bolt descends, And o'er the plain the shatter'd trunk extends; Yet then it lies, all wond'rous as before, And still the glory, though the guard no more.

So, when every virtue, every grace, Role in thy soul, or shone within thy face; When, though the Son of, thou wert known Less by thy father's glory than thy own; When Honour lov'd, and gave thee every charm, Fire to thy eye and vigour to thy arm; Then from our lofty hopes and longing eyes Fate and thy virtues call'd thee to the skies; Rh