His eyes have closed! and ye, loved books, no more

Shall Southey feed upon your precious lore,

To works that ne’er shall forfeit their renown

Adding immortal labours of his own—

Whether he traced historic truth, with zeal

For the State’s guidance or the Church’s weal,

Or Fancy, disciplined by studious art,

Informed his pen, or wisdom of the heart,

Or judgments sanctioned in the Patriot’s mind

By reverence for the rights of all mankind.