Poems and Imitations

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R. Bickerstaff, 1814 - English poetry - 192 pages

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Page 7 - For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Page 170 - s young and bloomingGive the laughing hours to joy ! We'll despise each idle rumour Of that age, to love severe— When the tresses silver'd over, . Speak the grisly Phantom near. Swiftly...
Page 177 - Thessalians paid divine honors to the Peneus, on account of its beauty : the Scythians worshipped their Ister, on account of its size: the Germans the Rhine, because it was the judge whether their offspring...
Page 10 - ... the teachers of morality have reckoned the principal ? A. They are four in number : justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude. Q. What is justice ? A. The rule by which we give to every man what is due to him. Q. How far does this extend ? A. To the payment of debts and wages, the giving of tribute to whom tribute is due, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
Page 178 - ... of the Courser substituted for that of the Arrow. Some other liberties of the same kind have been occasionally taken in endeavouring to render the sense of several passages in different specimens, which, I hope, may be allowable in one who professes to be merely an Imitator of these choice morsels of Italian poesy; and has attended more to the spirit, than the letter, of the Originals. I, however, flatter myself, the deviations are neither numerous, nor of material consequence.
Page 29 - This wonder of Creation, yields no charms, Disrob'd of self; contracted narrow self! Interest his God, to whom he immolates Each finer feeling, and each nobler aim. I love the child of Nature, form'd to taste Her glowing prospects; o'er her varied views To gaze with eye of rapture; and adore Th
Page 71 - Ascendancy supreme o'er humbled Man; Since not to martial deeds alone confin'd Thy power could vassalize the nobler mind: Thy conquering legions laid the mighty low— Thy breath made Europe's proudest monarchs bow. E'en now some remnants of thy pristine state Remain stupendous, and in ruin great— Entire Vitruvius' matchless Dome appears, Th' increasing wonder of successive years; Nor shall thy structure, Buonarotti, claim Inferior notice in the rolls of Fame.
Page 168 - Haste, my beauteous Maid, lole,— Give the fleeting hour to love! Soon is nipp'd the bud of beauty; Quickly fades the flower of Youth; Seize in time, the blest occasion To reward thy Shepherd's truth. Cynthia, glittering in yon river, Meekly sheds her paly ray; Soon Aurora's mantling blushes Usher in the new born day: Winter strips the leafy forest, Frost and snow deform the year; Soon returns the Vernal season; Soon the infant buds appear. We, but flourish for one summer— That elaps'd,—no more...
Page 72 - Vitruvius' matchless Dome appears, Th' increasing wonder of successive years; Nor shall thy structure, Buonarotti, claim Inferior notice in the rolls of Fame. The Amphitheatre's august remains— The mutilated shafts, and mouldering fanes— The Arch triumphal richly storied o'er— Attest the arts of Rome in days of yore: No limits could her general Empire bound—- For Genius, Arms, and Eloquence renown'd! 'Twas here, the glory of the Mantuan...

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