On the Death of Mr. Fox

"Our Nation's foes lament on Fox's death, But bless the hour, when PITT resign'd his breath: These feelings wide, let Sense and Truth unclue, We give the palm, where Justice points its due."

TO WHICH THE AUTHOR OF THESE PIECES SENT THE FOLLOWING REPLY FOR INSERTION IN THE "MORNING CHRONICLE."
  1. 1Oh, factious viper! whose envenom'd tooth
  2. 2Would mangle, still, the dead, perverting truth;
  3. 3What, though our "nation's foes" lament the fate,
  4. 4With generous feeling, of the good and great;
  5. 5Shall dastard tongues essay to blast the name
  6. 6Of him, whose meed exists in endless fame?
  7. 7When PITT expir'd in plenitude of power,
  8. 8Though ill success obscur'd his dying hour,
  9. 9Pity her dewy wings before him spread,
  10. 10For noble spirits "war not with the dead:"
  11. 11His friends in tears, a last sad requiem gave,
  12. 12As all his errors slumber'd in the grave;
  13. 13He sunk, an Atlas bending "'neath the weight"
  14. 14Of cares o'erwhelming our conflicting state.
  15. 15When, lo! a Hercules, in Fox, appear'd,
  16. 16Who for a time the ruin'd fabric rear'd:
  17. 17He, too, is fall'n, who Britain's loss supplied,
  18. 18With him, our fast reviving hopes have died;
  19. 19Not one great people, only, raise his urn,
  20. 20All Europe's far-extended regions mourn.
  21. 21"These feelings wide, let Sense and Truth undue,
  22. 22To give the palm where Justice points its due;"
  23. 23Yet, let not canker'd Calumny assail,
  24. 24Or round her statesman wind her gloomy veil.
  25. 25FOX! o'er whose corse a mourning world must weep,
  26. 26Whose dear remains in honour'd marble sleep;
  27. 27For whom, at last, e'en hostile nations groan,
  28. 28While friends and foes, alike, his talents own.--
  29. 29Fox! shall, in Britain's future annals, shine,
  30. 30Nor e'en to PITT, the patriot's 'palm' resign;
  31. 31Which Envy, wearing Candour's sacred mask,
  32. 32For PITT, and PITT alone, has dar'd to ask.