to act upon principles, but that he never acts more nobly, more wisely, more worthily of himself, than when he acts upon the prompt persuasions of grand passions, sublimed and directed by lofty principles."
AN UNFORTUNATE GIRL.
The world forgives not her—for one offence
The world shuts mercy's gate on penitence :
And like the brand which seals a villain's shame,
Forbids return to virtue and to fame.
Yet shame to those the merciless—to them
Who, proud in untried virtue, dare condemn;
To such, as still in folly's circle run,
Too dull to feel, too cold to be undone;
Or scarcely chaste in thought, yet safe from harm,
Merely because they want the power to charm :
Who with disgust, or mingled joy and hate,
Hear of the blighted name, the ruined fate
Of all that once was beautiful —the eye
More bright than theirs—the birth, perchance, as high;
Who still disdain the fallen fair to raise,
But think by cruelty to merit praise;
Oh ! let them know, that mercy is the grace,
Which pours a ray divine o'er mind and face,
O'er other's woes, in sorrow let them pause,
Nor while they scorn to pity, help to cause.
