On the Burning of Lord Mansfield's Library, Together with his MSS. by the Mob, in the Month of June 1780.


So then - the Vandals of our isle,
Sworn foes to sense and law,
Have burnt to dust a nobler pile
Than ever Roman saw!

And Murray sighs o'er Pope and Swift,
And many a treasure more,
The well-judged purchase and the gift
That graced his lettered store.


Their
pages mangled, burnt, and torn,
The loss was
his alone;

But ages yet to come shall mourn
The burning of
his own.

William Cowper

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-burning-of-lord-mansfield-s-library-2/