Classic Poem

ON CAPTAIN GRENVILLE

Ye weeping Muses, Graces, Virtues! tell
If since your all-accomplish'd Sidney fell
You or afflicted Britain e'er deplor'd
A loss like that these plaintive lays record!
Such spotless honour, such ingenuous truth,
Such ripen'd wisdom in the bloom of youth!
So mild, so gentle, so compos'd a mind,
To such heroick warmth and courage join'd!
He too like Sidney, nurs'd in Learning's arms,
For nobler War forsook her softer charms;
Like him possess'd of ev'ry pleasing art,
The secret wish of ev'ry female's heart;
Like him cut off in youthful glory's pride
He unrepining for his country dy'd.