Gaieties and Gravities: A Series of Essays, Comic Tales, and Fugitive Vagaries. Now First Collected, Volume 1

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H. Colburn, 1825 - English essays - 699 pages

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Page 228 - The moon shines bright : — In such a night as this, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, And they did make no noise...
Page 154 - And throwing up into the darkest gloom Of neighbouring cypress, or more sable yew, Her silver globes, light as the foamy surf, That the wind severs from the broken wave ; The lilac, various in array, now white, Now sanguine, and her beauteous head now set With purple spikes pyramidal, as if Studious of ornament, yet unresolved Which hue she most approved, she chose them all ; * The Guelder-rose.
Page 8 - T^EAR no more the heat o' the sun -*- Nor the furious winter's rages; Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages : Golden lads and girls all must, As chimney-sweepers, come to dust. Fear no more the frown o...
Page 85 - Borne immortal far beyond the lofty stars', the poet shall live in everlasting fame: lamque opus exegi, quod nee lovis ira nee ignis nee poterit ferrum nee edax abolere vetustas. cum volet, ilia dies, quae nil nisi corporis huius ius habet, incerti spatium mihi finiat aevi: parte tamen meliore mei super alta perennis astra ferar, nomenque erit indelebile nostrum, quaque patet domitis Romana potentia terris, ore legar populi, perque omnia saecula fama, siquid habent veri vatum praesagia, vivam.
Page 93 - But rather to tell how, if art could tell, How from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks, Rolling on orient* pearl and sands of gold...
Page 109 - Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose. Hail bounteous May that dost inspire Mirth and youth, and warm desire; Woods and groves are of thy dressing, Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing. Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome thee, and wish thee long.
Page 178 - I will conduct you to a hill-side, laborious indeed at the first ascent, but else so smooth, so green, so full of goodly prospects and melodious sounds, that the harp of Orpheus was not half so charming.
Page 227 - On our first father; half her swelling breast Naked met his under the flowing gold Of her loose tresses hid: he, in delight Both of her beauty and submissive charms, Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds That shed May flowers...
Page 241 - Which, warm'd by summer suns in th' alembic of the vine, From her founts will over-run in a ruddy gush of wine. The perfume and the bjoom that shall decorate the flower, Are quickening in the gloom of their subterranean bower; And the juices meant to feed trees, vegetables, fruits, Unerringly proceed to their pre-appointed roots.
Page 134 - Or doffed thine own to let Queen Dido pass; Or held, by Solomon's own invitation, A torch at the great temple's dedication. I need not ask thee if that hand, when...

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