And snatch’d the infant from the parent’s breast;

But still for public good the boy was train’d,

The mother suffer’d, but the matron gain’d:

Here nature’s outrage serves no cause to aid;

The ill is felt, but not the Spartan made.

Then too I own, it grieves me to behold

Those ever virtuous, helpless now and old,

By all for care and industry approved,

For truth respected, and for temper loved;

And who, by sickness and misfortune tried,