Nor vainly strove: the threaten’d ill
Fell, he with patience met it still.
Few in the morning of his grief
Or gave, or proffer’d him relief.
Those who had counsell’d heretofore,
Excus’d themselves from doing more,
“Presuming nothing they could offer
Would meet acceptance from the scoffer.”
Others, meanwhile, of nature good,
Assisted, comforted, withstood