LETTER LXV.
Worthyto Mrs.Holmes.
Boston.
WE have surmounted the performance of the last scene of our tragedy, with less difficulty and distress than I imagined. Great numbers crowded to see the body of poorHarrington; they were impressed with various emotions, for their sympathizing sorrow could not be concealed—Indeed a man without sensibility exhibits no sign of a soul. I was struck with admiration at the observations of the populace, and the justness of the character they drew of the deceased, “Alas!” said one—“poor youth thouart gone. Thou wast of a promising genius, of violent passions, thou wast possessed of a too nice sensibility, and a dread of shame. It is only such an one who would take the trouble to kill himself. Ah! poor well natured, warm hearted, hot headed youth—how my heart bleeds for you! We consider thee as the dupe ofNature, and the sacrifice of Seduction.” The old father hears this, and becomes overwhelmed with shame and sorrow.
THE jury which sat upon the body of our friend, after mature consideration, brought in their verdict Suicide. The rigour of the law was not executed—the body was privately taken away, and I saw it deposited by the side of his faithfulHarriot.
I SEND you inclosed a copy of the Monumental Inscription, as written byHarrington.I found it with many loose papers. It contains the story of our unfortunate friends, and a profitable moral is deduced from it.
THOUGH a few weeks begin to spread calm over our passions, yet the recollection of our misfortunes will sometimes cause a momentary agitation, as the ocean retains its swell, after the storms subsides.
Adieu!
Adieu!
Adieu!
Adieu!
Monumental Inscription.THOU who shalt wander o’er these humble plains,Where one kind grave their hapless dust contains,O pass not on—if merit claim a tear,Or dying virtue cause a sigh sincere.Here rest their heads, consign’d to parent earth,Who to one common father ow’d their birth;Unknown this union—Nature still presides,And Sympathy unites, whom Fate divides.They see—they love—but heav’n their passion tries,Their love sustains it, but theirMORTALdies.Stranger! contemplate well before you part,And take this serious counsel to thy heart:Does some fair female of unspotted fame,Salute thee, smiling, with a father’s name,Bid her detest the fell Seducer’s wiles,Who smiles to win—and murders as he smiles.If ever wandering near this dark recess,Where guardian spirits round the ether press,Where, on their urn, celestial care descends,Two lovers come, whom fair success attends,O’er the pale marble shall they join their heads,And drink the falling tears each other sheds,Then sadly say, with mutual pity mov’d,“O! may weNEVER LOVE AS THESE HAVE LOVED.”
Monumental Inscription.THOU who shalt wander o’er these humble plains,Where one kind grave their hapless dust contains,O pass not on—if merit claim a tear,Or dying virtue cause a sigh sincere.Here rest their heads, consign’d to parent earth,Who to one common father ow’d their birth;Unknown this union—Nature still presides,And Sympathy unites, whom Fate divides.They see—they love—but heav’n their passion tries,Their love sustains it, but theirMORTALdies.Stranger! contemplate well before you part,And take this serious counsel to thy heart:Does some fair female of unspotted fame,Salute thee, smiling, with a father’s name,Bid her detest the fell Seducer’s wiles,Who smiles to win—and murders as he smiles.If ever wandering near this dark recess,Where guardian spirits round the ether press,Where, on their urn, celestial care descends,Two lovers come, whom fair success attends,O’er the pale marble shall they join their heads,And drink the falling tears each other sheds,Then sadly say, with mutual pity mov’d,“O! may weNEVER LOVE AS THESE HAVE LOVED.”
Monumental Inscription.
Monumental Inscription.
THOU who shalt wander o’er these humble plains,Where one kind grave their hapless dust contains,O pass not on—if merit claim a tear,Or dying virtue cause a sigh sincere.Here rest their heads, consign’d to parent earth,Who to one common father ow’d their birth;Unknown this union—Nature still presides,And Sympathy unites, whom Fate divides.They see—they love—but heav’n their passion tries,Their love sustains it, but theirMORTALdies.Stranger! contemplate well before you part,And take this serious counsel to thy heart:Does some fair female of unspotted fame,Salute thee, smiling, with a father’s name,Bid her detest the fell Seducer’s wiles,Who smiles to win—and murders as he smiles.If ever wandering near this dark recess,Where guardian spirits round the ether press,Where, on their urn, celestial care descends,Two lovers come, whom fair success attends,O’er the pale marble shall they join their heads,And drink the falling tears each other sheds,Then sadly say, with mutual pity mov’d,“O! may weNEVER LOVE AS THESE HAVE LOVED.”
THOU who shalt wander o’er these humble plains,
Where one kind grave their hapless dust contains,
O pass not on—if merit claim a tear,
Or dying virtue cause a sigh sincere.
Here rest their heads, consign’d to parent earth,
Who to one common father ow’d their birth;
Unknown this union—Nature still presides,
And Sympathy unites, whom Fate divides.
They see—they love—but heav’n their passion tries,
Their love sustains it, but theirMORTALdies.
Stranger! contemplate well before you part,
And take this serious counsel to thy heart:
Does some fair female of unspotted fame,
Salute thee, smiling, with a father’s name,
Bid her detest the fell Seducer’s wiles,
Who smiles to win—and murders as he smiles.
If ever wandering near this dark recess,
Where guardian spirits round the ether press,
Where, on their urn, celestial care descends,
Two lovers come, whom fair success attends,
O’er the pale marble shall they join their heads,
And drink the falling tears each other sheds,
Then sadly say, with mutual pity mov’d,
“O! may weNEVER LOVE AS THESE HAVE LOVED.”
The END.