Chase from our minds th' infernal foe, DRYDEN. FASHION Fashion, leader of a chatt'ring train, Whom man for his own hurt permits to reign, Who shifts and changes all things but his shape, And would degrade her votry to an ape, The fruitful parent of abuse and wrong, Holds a usurp'd dominion o'er his tongue, There sits and prompts him with his own disgrace, Prescribes the theme, the tone, and the grimace, And when accomplish'd in her wayward school, Calls gentleman whom she has made a fool. CowPER. FIDELITY. BELIEVE me, if all those endearing young charms, Which I gaze on so fondly to-day, Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms, Like fairy-gifts, fading away! Thou would'st still be adored, as this moment thou art, Let thy loveliness fade as it will, And, around the dear ruin, each wish of my heart Would entwine myself verdantly still! It is not, while beauty and youth are thine own, And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear, That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known, To which time will but make thee more dear! Oh! the heart that has truly loved never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close, As the sun-flower turns to her god when he sets, The same look which she turn'd when he rose. MOORE. A WIFE'S DEFENCE OF HER HUSBAND. That's false! a truer, nobler, trustier heart, More loving, or more loyal, never beat Within a human breast. I would not change My exiled, persecuted, mangled husband, Oppress'd but not disgraced, crush’d, overwhelm’d, Alive, or dead, for prince or paladin In story or in fable, with a world To back his suit. Dishonour'd!-he dishonour'd! I tell thee, doge, 't is Venice is dishonour'd. BYRON. LOVE. seem; BUCKINGHAM. FLATTERY ADDRESSED TO A GREAT POET. THERE are, who to my person pay their court: POPE. LIFE. LIKE to the falling of a star: BISHOP KING. LIFE AND DEATH. REFLECT that life and death, affecting sounds, Not for itself but for a nobler end less away; Thus life, with loss of wealth, is well preserved, And virtue cheaply saved with loss of life. JOHNSON HYMN FOR THE BLIND. Oh! thou, whose garment is the light, Whose throne the vaulted sky, And hung the stars on high: In all its bright array ; No living waters play ; In gratitude to thee; Our minds can clearly see! In inspiration told; And lead us weak and old. The light of science pour, To worship and adore. Behold us while we pray- BENJAMIN TO A LADY. My wandering heart seeks refuge like the dove; Bearing the olive branch of peace and love, Nor bower nor tree nor mantling wine was there ; But, like rich pearls deep in some ocean cave, Were hidden all things beautiful and fair. Send me not forth again! though the blue sky Smile o'er the emerald garniture of Earth, Leaves, buds and roses spring once more to birth, And on the air float songs of melody; Still to its resting-place, that dove would fileeAngel of beauty, shall it dwell with thee? BENJAMIN er(ica ROMANCE OF CID RAMON. I REMEMBER thee, Granada ! His thousand score were near; The watchmen fled with fear : The town was leaguer'd sore, I remember thee, Granada ! Like locusts on the sward; They struck him fast and hard. With crucifix and spear; I remember thee, Granada! |