Sonnet to Ingratitude

I COULD have borne affliction's sharpest thorn;

The sting of malice­poverty's deep wound;

The sneers of vulgar pride, the idiot's scorn;

Neglected Love, false Friendship's treach'rous sound;

I could, with patient smile, extract the dart

Base calumny had planted in my heart;

The fangs of envy; agonizing pain;

ALL, ALL, nor should my steady soul complain:

E'en had relentless FATE, with cruel pow'r,

Darken'd the sunshine of each youthful day;

While from my path she snatch'd each transient flow'r.

Not one soft sigh my sorrow should betray;

But where INGRATITUDE'S fell poisons pour,

HOPE shrinks subdued­and LIFE'S BEST JOYS DECAY