Epitaph, Intended For Himself

James Beattie 1735 (Laurencekirk) – 1803 (Aberdeen)



Escaped the gloom of mortal life, a soul
Here leaves its mouldering tenement of clay,
Safe where no cares their whelming billows roll,
No doubts bewilder, and no hopes betray.

2

Like thee, I once have stemm'd the sea of life;
Like thee, have languish'd after empty joys;
Like thee, have labour'd in the stormy strife;
Been grieved for trifles, and amused with toys.

3

Yet, for a while, 'gainst Passion's threatful blast
Let steady Reason urge the struggling oar;
Shot through the dreary gloom, the morn at last
Gives to thy longing eye the blissful shore.

4

Forget my frailties, thou art also frail;
Forgive my lapses, for thyself mayst fall;
Nor read, unmoved, my artless tender tale,
I was a friend, O man! to thee, to all.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

40 sec read
104

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 715
Words 131
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4

James Beattie

James Scott Beattie is an English footballer who is a striker who plays for and manages Accrington Stanley. more…

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