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 Sonnet to Ingratitude by Mary Darby Robinson 
						He that's ungrateful, has no guilt but one;All other crimes may pass for virtues in him.
 - YOUNG.
 
 
 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.
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