The Good, Great Man
The Good, Great Man
Original Text
The Morning Post (Sept. 23, 1802).
1 "How seldom, friend! a good great man inherits
2 Honour or wealth with all his worth and pains!
3It sounds like stories from the land of spirits
4If any man obtain that which he merits
5 Or any merit that which he obtains."
REPLY TO THE ABOVE
6 For shame, dear friend, renounce this canting strain!7What would'st thou have a good great man obtain?
8Place? titles? salary? a gilded chain?
9Or throne of corses which his sword had slain?
10Greatness and goodness are not means, but ends!
11Hath he not always treasures, always friends,
12The good great man? three treasures, LOVE, and LIGHT,
13 And CALM THOUGHTS, regular as infant's breath:
14And three firm friends, more sure than day and night,
15 HIMSELF, his MAKER, and the ANGEL DEATH!
Publication Start Year
1802
RPO poem Editors
J. D. Robins
RPO Edition
2RP 2.126.