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Samuel Johnson - Epitaph on Sir Thomas Hanmer, Bart.
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Thou who survey`st these walls with curious eye,
Pause at this tomb where Hanmer`s ashes lie;
His various worth through varied life attend,
And learn his virtues while thou mourn`st his end.
His force of genius burn`d in early youth,
With thirst of knowledge, and with love of truth;
His learning, joined with each endearing art,
Charm`d every ear, and gain`d every heart.
Thus early wise, the endanger`d real to aid,
His country call`d him from the studious shade;
In life`s first bloom his public toils began,
At once commenced the senator and man.
In business dexterous, weighty in debate,
Thrice ten long years he labour`d for the state;
In every speech persuasive wisdom flow`d, 
In every act refulgent virtue glow`d;
Suspended faction ceased from rage and strife,
To hear his eloquence, and praise his life.
Resistless merit fix`d the senate`s choice,
Who hail`d him Speaker with united voice.
Illustrious age! how bright thy glories shone,
When Hanmer fill`d the chair - and Anne the throne.
Then when dark art obscured each fierce debate,
When mutual frauds perplex`d the maze of state,
The Moderator firmly mild appear`d -
Beheld with love - with veneration heard.
This task perform`d - he sought no gainful post
Nor wish`d to glitter at his country`s cost;
Strict on the right he fix`d his stedfast eye,
With temperate zeal, and wise anxiety;
Nor e`er from Virtue`s paths was lured aside,
To pluck the flowers of pleasure or of pride.
Her gifts despis`d, Corruption blush`d and fled,
And Fame pursued him where Conviction led.
Age call`d, at length, his active mind to rest,
With honour sated, and with cares oppress`d;
To letter`d ease retired and honest mirth,
To rural grandeur, and domestic worth:
Delighted still to please mankind, or mend,
The patriot`s fire yet sparkled in the friend.
Calm Conscience then, his former life survey`d,
And recollected toils endeared the shade,
Till Nature call`d him to the general doom,
And Virtue`s sorrow dignified his tomb.
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