What gem hath dropp'd, and sparkles o'er his chain?
The tear most sacred, shed for other's pain,
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What gem hath dropp'd, and sparkles o'er his chain?
The tear most sacred, shed for other's pain,
That starts at once--bright pure--from Pity's mine,
Already polish'd by the hand divine!

For Beauty's tears are lovelier than her smile.

For Beauty's tears are lovelier than her smile.

The tears fall, they're so easy to wipe off onto my sleeve, but how do I erase the stain from read more

The tears fall, they're so easy to wipe off onto my sleeve, but how do I erase the stain from my heart?

If you wish me to weep, you must first show grief yourself.

If you wish me to weep, you must first show grief yourself.

Accept these grateful tears! for thee thy flow,
For thee, that ever felt another's woe!

Accept these grateful tears! for thee thy flow,
For thee, that ever felt another's woe!

And the tear that is wiped with a little address,
May be follow'd perhaps by a smile.

And the tear that is wiped with a little address,
May be follow'd perhaps by a smile.

The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast.

The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast.

No radiant pearl, which crested Fortune wears,
No gem that twinkling hangs from Beauty's wars.
Not the read more

No radiant pearl, which crested Fortune wears,
No gem that twinkling hangs from Beauty's wars.
Not the bright stars which Night's blue arch adorn,
Nor rising suns that gild the vernal morn,
Shine with such lustre as the tear that flows
Down Virtue's manly cheek for others' woes.

We look through gloom and storm-drift
Beyond the years:
The soul would have no rainbow
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We look through gloom and storm-drift
Beyond the years:
The soul would have no rainbow
Hard the eyes no tears.