Eulogium On Rev. James Hervey Poem by William Dodd

---------- Thou Hervey, too,
Whose page and soul alike breathe humblest love
To thy adored Redeemer, thou hast shown
That piety and polish'd elegance
May well together suit; and while remains
Or piety or elegance thy works,
Like genuine gold, the touchstone will abide,
And grateful to thy countrymen remain:
Oh! may I to my lowly strains derive
Some merit from the friendship of thy name;
Strains, whose exalted subject fills thy heart
So constant with delight; and from thy tongue
In converse pours such streams of eloquence,
That the wrapt hearer wonders at his fears
Of death ere-while, and glowing with the love
Of Jesus, caught from thee, longs to behold
His Saviour in the clouds: for who can stand
Amidst the sweetness of Arabian groves,
And not bear thence some fragrance? - Valued friend,
Proceed; and (thy too feeble strength renew'd)
May to hoar age thy journey be prolong'd,
And strew'd each step with blessings to mankind!