Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heaven did a recompense as largely send: He gave to Misery all he had, a tear,
He gain'd from Heaven 'twas all he wish'd a friend.
This is the second stanza of the epitaph attached to the end of the famous poem, "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard", composed by Thomas Gray, an eighteenth century poet. Gray here speaks about himself.
Before his death, Gray wrote his own epitaph which reflects that he was not different from the unknown rustic people of the remote village where he passed a long time of his life. The villagers were unknown to the civil world before and after their death. But, according to the poet, they led an honest and peaceful life. They did not have enough power to commit shameful crimes. Their fate did not allow them to spread their virtues all over the country. The poet too led an honest life. He was not known for his poetic power. But his heart was great. He became friendless when one of his only two friends died and a misunderstanding spoilt the friendship with the other one who became the Prime Minister of England. In such a state of friendlessness, he embraced all difficulties of life with stoic resignation. He felt that God was the only friend that he had. Thus, these lines, in compliance with the elegiac tone of the poem, suggest deep pathos and solemnity.
