Bell's Edition: The Poets of Great Britain Complete from Chaucer to Churchill ...

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J. Bell, 1793 - English poetry

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Page 162 - Which left thee void of hope; O ye who roam In exile; ye who through the' embattled field Seek bright renown; or who for nobler palms Contend, the leaders of a public cause; Approach: behold this marble.
Page 160 - For many a cheerful day. These ancient walls Have often heard him, while his legends blithe He sang; of love, or knighthood, or the wiles Of homely life: through each estate and age, The fashions and the follies of the world With cunning hand portraying. Though perchance From Blenheim's towers...
Page 65 - I've rich ones rejected, and great ones denied, But take me, fond shepherd - I'm thine.' Her air was so modest, her aspect so meek! So simple, yet sweet, were her charms! I kiss'd the ripe roses that glow'd on her cheek, And lock'd the dear maid in my arms.
Page 91 - Tis Kate of Aberdeen. Now lightsome o'er the level mead, Where midnight fairies rove, Like them, the jocund dance we'll lead, Or tune the reed to love. For see, the rosy May draws nigh : She claims a virgin queen; And hark, the happy shepherds cry 'Tis Kate of Aberdeen.
Page 42 - But when from envy and from death to claim A hero bleeding for his native land ; When to throw incense on the vestal flame Of Liberty my genius gives command, Nor Theban voice nor Lesbian lyre From thee, O Muse, do I require ; While my presaging mind, Conscious of powers she never knew, Astonish'd grasps at things beyond her view, Nor by another's fate submits to be confin'd.
Page 152 - Wheeling unshaken through the void immense ; And speak, O man ! does this capacious scene With half that kindling majesty dilate Thy strong conception, as when Brutus rose Refulgent from the stroke of Caesar's fate, Amid the crowd of patriots ; and his arm Aloft extending, like eternal Jove When guilt brings down the thunder, call'd aloud On Tully's name, and shook his crimson steel, And bade the father of his country hail ? For lo ! the tyrant prostrate on the dust, And Rome again is free...
Page 109 - Eternal Maker has ordain'd The powers of man; we feel within ourselves His energy divine; he tells the heart, He meant, he made us to behold and love What he beholds and loves, the general orb Of life and being ; to be great like him, Beneficent and active.
Page 102 - THY verdant scenes, O Goulder's Hill, Once more I seek, a languid guest : With- throbbing temples and with burden'd breast Once more I climb thy steep aerial way. O faithful cure of oft-returning ill, Now call thy sprightly breezes round, Dissolve this rigid cough profound, And bid the springs of life with gentler movement play.
Page 160 - The language of our fathers. Here he dwelt For many a cheerful day. These ancient walls Have often heard him, while his legends blithe He sang ; of love, or knighthood, or the wiles Of homely life : through each estate and age, The fashions and the follies of the world With cunning hand portraying.
Page 134 - Nymphs, ye blue-ey'd progeny of Thames, Who now the mazes of this rugged heath Trace with your fleeting steps ; who all night long Repeat, amid the cool and tranquil air, Your lonely murmurs, tarry : and receive My ofFer'd lay. To pay you homage due, I leave the gates of Sleep ; nor shall my lyre Too far into the splendid hours of morn Engage your audience : my observant band Shall close the strain ere any sultry beam Approach you.

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