Lines Written On A Blank Leaf In A Copy Of The Author's Poem "The Excursion,"

Upon Hearing Of The Death Of The Late Vicar Of Kendal To public notice, with reluctance strong, Did I deliver this unfinished Song; Yet for one happy issue; and I look With self-congratulation on the Book Which pious, learned, MURFITT saw and read; Upon my thoughts his saintly Spirit fed; He conned the new-born Lay with grateful heart Foreboding not how soon he must depart; Unsweeting that to him the joy was given Which good men take with them from earth to heaven.