Poetical Works: With a Memoir, Volume 1

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Little, Brown & Company, 1866

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Page 147 - Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong, Was everything by starts, and nothing long, But, in the course of one revolving moon, Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon, Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking, Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking.
Page 147 - For, spite of him, the weight of business fell On Absalom and wise Achitophel: Thus, wicked but in will, of means bereft, He left not faction, but of that was left.
Page 146 - Some of their chiefs were princes of the land ; In the first rank of these did Zimri ' stand, A man so various that he seemed to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome : Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong, Was everything by starts and nothing long ; But in the course of one revolving moon Was...
Page 132 - A daring pilot in extremity, Pleased with the danger, when the waves went high, He sought the storms ; but, for a calm unfit, Would steer too nigh the sands to boast his wit.
Page xliv - I'll tell you, now, what I do. If I am to write familiar things, as sonnets to Armida, and the like, I make use of stewed prunes only; but, when I have a grand design in hand, I ever take physic, and let blood, for, when you would have pure swiftness of thought and fiery flights of fancy, you must have a care of the pensive part. In fine, you must purge the belly.
Page 128 - Their gods disgraced, and burnt like common wood. This set the heathen priesthood in a flame ; For priests of all religions are the same. Of whatsoe'er descent their godhead be, Stock, stone, or other homely pedigree, In his defence his servants are as bold, As if he had been born of beaten gold.
Page 145 - The next for interest sought to embroil the state, To sell their duty at a dearer rate, And make their Jewish markets of the throne ; Pretending public good to serve their own. Others thought kings an useless heavy load, Who cost too much, and did too little good. These were for laying honest David by, On principles of pure good husbandry.
Page 17 - As they who first proportion understand, With easy practice reach a master's hand. Well might the ancient poets then confer On Night the honour'd name of Counsellor, Since struck with rays of prosperous fortune blind, We light alone in dark afflictions find.
Page 156 - With chariots, horsemen, and a numerous train; 730 From east to west his glories he displays, And like the sun the promis'd land surveys. Fame runs before him, as the morning star, And shouts of joy salute him from afar; Each house receives him as a guardian god And consecrates the place of his abode; But hospitable treats did most commend Wise Issachar, his wealthy western friend.
Page 146 - Gainst form and order they their power employ, Nothing to build and all things to destroy. But far more numerous was the herd of such Who think too little and who talk too much. These out of mere instinct, they knew not why, Adored their fathers...

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