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ON A REAL INSTANCE OF DISINTERESTED FRIENDSHIP

1 Ill skill'd my youthful hand to guide
2 The just descriptive pen;
3 Else with a poet's noblest pride
4 I'd draw the best of men.
5 Ye unseen beings that attend
6 In realms of purest light,
7 Assist to paint the orphan's friend,
8 The good, the matchless W——te.
9 And listen while I tell the tale,
10 More like a fancied dream:
11 One night, as languid, faint, and pale,
12 I view'd bright Luna's beam,
13 I rov'd by yon fair building's side,
14 That strikes the wond'ring sight,
15 Then tow'ring high in airy pride
16 Dim through the gloom of night,
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17 My mind o'erclouded was with woe,
18 As dismal as the scene;
19 Shades o'er my fate did thick'ning grow,
20 No ray could intervene:
21 But he was nigh, the friend of all
22 Beheld with tender care;
23 And still awake to pity's call,
24 My sorrows wish'd to share.
25 He spoke, ye heavens! the pleasing sound
26 Still vibrates in my ear;
27 Words which might heal the deepest wound,
28 And dissipate each fear.
29 But, oh! it was not words alone;
30 For bounteous deeds did prove,
31 A goodness to the world unknown
32 His manly breast did move.
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33 On earth each broken heart elate
34 Beholds him with delight;
35 And heaven shall open every gate.
36 To welcome matchless W——te!

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Title (in Source Edition): ON A REAL INSTANCE OF DISINTERESTED FRIENDSHIP
Author: Rebekah Carmichael (later Hay)
Themes:
Genres: occasional poem

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Source edition

Carmichael, Miss (Rebekah) (fl. 1790-1806). Poems. Edinburgh: Peter Hill, 1790, pp. 54-56. 92p. (ESTC T104666) (Page images digitized from a copy at University of California Libraries — third-party rights apply.)

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