On Revisiting Harrow. [1]

1.

Here once engaged the stranger's view Young Friendship's record simply trac'd; Few were her words,--but yet, though few, Resentment's hand the line defac'd.

2.

Deeply she cut--but not eras'd-- The characters were still so plain, That Friendship once return'd, and gaz'd,-- Till Memory hail'd the words again.

3.

Repentance plac'd them as before; Forgiveness join'd her gentle name; So fair the inscription seem'd once more, That Friendship thought it still the same.

4.

Thus might the Record now have been; But, ah, in spite of Hope's endeavour, Or Friendship's tears, Pride rush'd between, And blotted out the line for ever.

September, 1807.

[First published in Moore's 'Life and Letters, etc.', 1830, i. 102.]