Written in Mr. Hume's History

BIG with the tales of other years,
I view th' historic tome;
Which to the pensive mind appears
A deep capacious tomb:

Where long embalm'd by CLIO'S hand.
The patriot and the slave,
Who sav'd, and who betray'd the land,
Press one extensive grave:

With those that grasp'd th' imperial helm,
And trod the path of Pow'r:
With those who grac'd fair Learning's realm,
And Beauty's fairer bow'r.

If thus th' illustrious close their scene,
Oblivion then may laugh:
What flows from HUME'S recording pen
Is but an Epitaph!