Yes; you contemn the perjur'd maid Who all your favorite hopes betray'd: Nor, though her heart should home return, Her tuneful tongue it's falsehood mourn, Her winning eyes your faith implore,...
Oh fly! 'tis dire Suspicion's mien; And, meditating plagues unseen, The sorceress hither bends: Behold her torch in gall imbrued: Behold'her garment drops with blood Of lovers and of friends....
While yet the world was young, and men were few, Nor lurking fraud, nor tyrant rapine knew, In virtue rude, the gaudy arts they scorn'd, Which, virtue lost, degenerate times adorn'd:...
If rightly tuneful bards decide, If it be fix'd in Love's decrees, That Beauty ought not to be tried But by its native power to please, Then tell me, youths and lovers, tell' What fair can Amoret excel?...
The Shape alone let others prize, The Features of the Fair; I look for Spirit in her Eyes, And Meaning in her Air. A Damask Cheek, an Iv'ry Arm, Shall ne'er my Wishes win, Give me an animated Form,...
What's Female Beauty, but an Art divine, Through which the Mind's all gentle Graces shine? They like the Sun irradiate all between; The Body charms, because the Mind is seen.
Thou, who the verdant plain dost traverse here While Thames among his willows from thy view Retires; O stranger, stay thee, and the scene Around contemplate well. This is the place...
To me, whom in their lays the shepherds call Actaea, daughter of the neighbouring stream, This cave belongs. The fig-tree and the vine, Which o'er the rocky entrance downward shoot,...
Such was old Chaucer. such the placid mien Of him who first with harmony inform'd The language of our fathers. Here he dwelt For many a cheerful day. these ancient walls...
How thick the shades of evening close! How pale the sky with weight of snows! Haste, light the tapers, urge the fire, And bid the joyless day retire. Alas, in vain I try within...
Science! thou fair effusive ray From the great source of mental day, Free, generous, and refin'd! Descend with all thy treasures fraught, Illumine each bewilder'd thought, And bless my lab'ring mind....
If rightly tuneful bards decide, If it be fix'd in love's decrees, That beauty ought not to be tried But by its native power to please, Then tell me, youths and lovers, tell,...
Too much my heart of Beauty's power hath known, Too long to Love hath reason left her throne; Too long my genius mourn'd his myrtle chain, And three rich years of youth consum'd in vain....
Me tho' in life's sequester'd vale The Almighty sire ordain'd to dwell, Remote from glory's toilsome ways, And the great scenes of public praise; Yet let me still with grateful pride...
The radiant ruler of the year At length his wintry goal attains; Soon to reverse the long career, And northward bend his steady reins. Now, piercing half Potosi's height,...
If, yet regardful of your native land, Old Shakespeare's tongue you deign to understand, Lo, from the blissful bowers where heaven rewards Instructive sages and unblemish'd bards,...
O rustic herald of the spring, At length in yonder woody vale Fast by the brook i hear thee sing; And, studious of thy homely tale, Amid the vespers of the grove, Amid the chanting choir of love,...