C. Yorke's own
writing, among his letters to Bishop Warburton; probably
manuscript, and certainly his own composition: written from the
_Shades_."
"Stript to the naked soul, escaped from clay,
From doubts unfetter'd, and dissolv'd in day,
Unwarm'd by vanity, unreach'd by strife,
And all my hopes and fears thrown off with life,--{8}
Why am I charm'd by Friendship's fond essays,
And, tho' unbodied, conscious of thy praise?
Has pride a portion in the parted soul?
Does passion still the formless mind controul?
Can gratitude out-pant the silent breath,
Or a friend's sorrow pierce the glooms of death?
No; 'tis a spirit's nobler taste of bliss,
That feels the worth it left, in proofs like this;
That not its own applause but thine approves,
Whose practice praises, and whose virtue loves;
Who lov'st to crown departed friends with fame,
Then dying late, shalt all thou gav'st reclaim."
It is my own impression, as well as that of an eminent critic to whom I
communicated these lines, that they have been printed. If any contributor
to "NOTES AND QUERIES" can tell where they are to be found, or can throw
any light on their authorship, it will gratify
THE EDITOR OF BP.
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