On the Burning of Lord Mansfield's Library, Together with his MSS. by the Mob, in the Month of June 1780. <br /> <br /> <br />So then - the Vandals of our isle, <br />Sworn foes to sense and law, <br />Have burnt to dust a nobler pile <br />Than ever Roman saw! <br /> <br />And Murray sighs o'er Pope and Swift, <br />And many a treasure more, <br />The well-judged purchase and the gift <br />That graced his lettered store. <br /> <br /> <br />Their <br />pages mangled, burnt, and torn, <br />The loss was <br />his alone; <br /> <br />But ages yet to come shall mourn <br />The burning of <br />his own.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-burning-of-lord-mansfield-s-library-2/
