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 236 - 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 117 - True as the dial to the sun. Although it be not shone upon.
Page 87 - 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 165 - The glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things ; There is no armour against fate ; Death lays his icy hand on kings : Sceptre and crown Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
Page 95 - 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 111 - 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 138 - Dido pass ; Or held, by Solomon's own invitation, A torch at the great Temple's dedication.
Page 182 - so full of goodly prospects, and melodious sounds "on every side;" — till the ear, prepared by this gradual rise, is conducted to that full close on which it rests with pleasure; — " that the harp of Orpheus
Page 235 - 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 16 - ... of the world when first God dawned on Chaos; in its stream immersed, The lamps of Heaven flash with a softer light; All baser things pant with life's sacred thirst; Diffuse themselves; and spend in love's delight, The beauty and the joy of their renewed might XIX The leprous corpse, touched by this spirit tender.