Classic Poem

I.

How prone the bosom is to sigh,
How prone to weep the human eye;
As thro' this painful life we steer,
This valley of the sigh and Tear .

II.

When Saints lift up their souls in prayer,
Redeem'd from sin, remorse and care;
Possess'd with hope, and holy fear,
'Tis then the christian's pious Tear .

III.

When ev'ry parting pang is o'er,
And friends long absent, meet once more;
Fraught with delight, and love sincere,
'Tis then sweet FRIENDSHIP's joyful Tear .

VI.

When by the heart with sorrows griev'd,
A thousand blessings are receiv'd;
With every comfort that can cheer,
'Tis then bright virtue's grateful Tear .

V.

When two fond lovers, doom'd to part,
Feel deadly pangs invade their heart;
Torn from the object each holds dear,
'Tis then, alas! the parting Tear .

IV.

Where wretches on the earth reclin'd,
Their doom of condemnation sign'd;
(The end of earthly being near)
'Tis then soft pity's gentle Tear .

VII.

When one friend sees another bleed,
Or suffer anguish, pain, or need;
Then, then involv'd in smart severe,
We drop the sympathetic Tear .

VIII.

If on some lovely creature's face,
Rich, in proportion, colour, grace;
A pearly drop should once appear,
'Tis then the lovely beauteous Tear .

IX.

When mothers [O! the grateful sight]
Their children view with fond delight;
Surrounded by a charge so dear,
'Tis then the sweet maternal Tear .

X.

When lovers see the beauteous maid,
To whom their fond attention's paid;
With conscious blushing, sobs appear,
'Tis then the lovely pleading Tear .

XI.

When two dear friends of kindred mind,
By every gen'rous tye conjoin'd;
Behold their dreaded parting near,
'Tis then O! then the bitter Tear .

XII.

But when the wretch with sins opprest,
Strikes in an agony his breast;
When torn with guilt, distress and fear,
'Tis then the best, the saving Tear .