Dogmatic Teachers, of the snow-white fur! Ye wrangling Schoolmen, of the scarlet hood! Who, with a keenness not to be withstood, Press the point home, or falter and demur,...
What need of clamorous bells, or ribands gay, These humble nuptials to proclaim or grace? Angels of love, look down upon the place; Shed on the chosen vale a sun-bright day!...
Had this effulgence disappeared With flying haste, I might have sent, Among the speechless clouds, a look Of blank astonishment; But 'tis endued with power to stay,...
Earth has not anything to show more fair: Dull would he be of soul who could pass by A sight so touching in its majesty: This City now doth, like a garment, wear The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,...
Not 'mid the world's vain objects that enslave The free-born Soul, that World whose vaunted skill In selfish interest perverts the will, Whose factions lead astray the wise and brave,...
If these brief Records, by the Muses' art Produced as lonely Nature or the strife That animates the scenes of public life Inspired, may in thy leisure claim a part;...
While the Poor gather round, till the end of time May this bright flower of Charity display Its bloom, unfolding at the appointed day; Flower than the loveliest of the vernal prime...
Oft have I seen, ere Time had ploughed my cheek, Matrons and Sires who, punctual to the call Of their loved Church, on fast or festival Through the long year the house of Prayer would seek:...
Were there, below, a spot of holy ground Where from distress a refuge might be found, And solitude prepare the soul for heaven; Sure, nature's God that spot to man had given...
Surprised by joy, impatient as the Wind I turned to share the transport O! with whom But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb, That spot which no vicissitude can find?...
Desire we past illusions to recall? To reinstate wild Fancy, would we hide Truths whose thick veil Science has drawn aside? No, let this Age, high as she may, install...
Despond who will, 'I' heard a voice exclaim, "Though fierce the assault, and shattered the defense, It cannot be that Britain's social frame, The glorious work of time and providence,...
See Plutarch. Serene, and fitted to embrace, Where'er he turned, a swan-like grace Of haughtiness without pretence, And to unfold a still magnificence, Was princely Dion, in the power...
Dishonoured Rock and Ruin! that, by law Tyrannic, keep the Bird of Jove embarred Like a lone criminal whose life is spared. Vexed is he, and screams loud. The last I saw...
If there be prophets on whose spirits rest Past things, revealed like future, they can tell What Powers, presiding o'er the sacred well Of Christian Faith, this savage Island blessed...
From false assumption rose, and, fondly hailed By superstition, spread the Papal power; Yet do not deem the Autocracy prevailed Thus only, even in error's darkest hour....
"Here Man more purely lives, less oft doth fall, "More promptly rises, walks with stricter heed, "More safely rests, dies happier, is freed "Earlier from cleansing fires, and gains withal...