O Character! thou sacred name prophan'd,
Or gain'd so dear — by those who court thee
Only for a name, — and in fair shew
Appear what they art not. Fair Rectitude,
Be thou alone my wish — retir'd and silent.
There, the motives of my heart to know,
And leave to others — what? as they deserve
A name! Shall I e'er gain thee by one restless thought,
Or popular deed — to strive — to vie,
Or to supplant another.
To sacrifice my mind, my peace,
— — — — Her's was gone.
No rather,
Suffer all — unknown — forsaken — unminded,
Or minded only when again to take
The little I have got. Whence is that envy
And that jealous eye? To be what? yes.
Let them. O happiness, canst thou depend
On aught — but truth, unfullied rectitude of thought,
And virtue fair, — with kind benevolence,
And humblest mind reflect how poor and weak
We're in ourselves.