The Beauties of English Poesy, Volume 2

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Oliver Goldsmith
William Griffin, 1767 - English essays - 12 pages

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Page 109 - At thirty man suspects himself a fool ; Knows it at forty, and reforms his plan ; At fifty chides his infamous delay, Pushes his prudent purpose to resolve; In all the magnanimity of thought Resolves and re-resolves; then dies the same.
Page 97 - We take no note of time But from its loss. To give it then a tongue Is wise in man. As if an angel spoke, I feel the solemn sound. If heard aright, It is the knell of my departed hours : Where are they ? With the years beyond the flood.
Page 132 - The chamber where the good man meets his fate, Is privileg'd beyond the common walk Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heav'n.
Page 108 - tis madness to defer: Next day the fatal precedent will plead ; Thus on, till wisdom is push'd out of life. Procrastination is the thief of time ; Year after year it steals, till all are fled, And to the mercies of a moment leaves The vast concerns of an eternal scene.
Page 108 - Of man's miraculous mistakes this bears The palm, ' That all men are about to live, For ever on the brink of being born.' All pay themselves the compliment to think They one day shall not drivel : and their pride On this reversion takes up ready praise ; At least, their own ; their future selves applaud How excellent that life they ne'er will lead.
Page 146 - I fed on the smiles of my dear ? They tell me, my favourite maid, The pride of that valley, is flown ; Alas ! where with her I have stray'd I could wander with pleasure, alone.
Page 238 - To master John the English maid A hornbook gives of gingerbread; And, that the child may learn the better, As he can name, he eats the letter.
Page 129 - Can gold gain friendship ? Impudence of hope ! As well mere man an angel might beget. Love, and love only, is the loan for love. Lorenzo ! pride repress ; nor hope to find A friend, but what has found a friend in thee. All like the purchase ; few the price will pay ; And this makes friends such miracles below.
Page 80 - Proud names, who once the reins of empire held ; In arms who triumph'd ; or in arts excell'd ; Chiefs, grac'd with scars, and prodigal of blood ; Stern patriots, who for sacred freedom stood ; Just men, by whom impartial laws were given ; And saints, who taught and led the way to heaven...
Page 133 - Through nature's wreck, through vanquisht agonies, (Like the stars struggling through this midnight gloom) What gleams of joy ? what more than human peace ? Where, the frail mortal ? the poor abject worm ? No, not in death, the Mortal to be found. His conduct is a legacy for All. Richer than Mammon's for his single heir. His comforters he comforts ; Great in ruin, With unreluctant grandeur, gives, not yields His soul sublime ; and closes with his fate.

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