The Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1823. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... But both in malice and grimaces, A courtier any ape surpasses. Behold him humbly cringing wait Upon the minister of state; View him soon after to inferiors Aping the conduct of superiors: He promises with equal air, And to perform takes equal care. He in his turn finds imitators, At court, the porters, lacqueys, waiters, Their master's manners still contract, And footmen, lords, and dukes can act. Thus at the court, both great and small Behave alike, for all ape all. r+y STANZAS ON THE TAKING OP QUEBEC. Amidst the clamour of exulting joys, Which triumph forces from the patriot heart, Grief dares to mingle her soul-piercing voice, And quells the raptures which from pleasure start. O Wolf, to thee a streaming flood of woe, Sighing we pay, and think e'en conquest dear; Quebec in vain shall teach our breast to glow, Whilst thy sad fate extorts the heart-wrung tear. Alive, the foe thy dreadful vigour fled, And saw thee fall with joy-pronouncing eyes: Yet they shall know thou conquerest, though dead Since from thy tomb a thousand heroes rise. VOL. II. p 158 ON A BEAUTIFUL YOUTH STRUCK BLIND BY LIGHTNING. Sure 'twas by Providence design'd, Rather in pity, than in hate, That he should be, like Cupid, blind. To save him from Narcissus' fate. A SONNET. Weeping, murmuring, complaining, Lost to every gay delight; Myra, too sincere for feigning, Fears th' approaching bridal night. Yet why impair thy bright perfection? Or dim thy beauty with a tear? Had Myra follow'd my direction, She long had wanted cause of fear. TUB COMEDY. PREFACE. When I undertook to write a comedy, I confess I was strongly prepossessed in favour of the poets of the last age, and strove to imitate them. The term, genteel comedy was then unknown amongst us, and little more was desired by an aud...