Specimens of the Later English Poets (Volume 2); With Preliminary Notices (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1807. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... But where shall Cato's praise begin, or end; Inclined to melt, and yet untaught to bend; The firmest patriot, and the gentlest friend? How great his Genuis, when the traitor croud, Ready to strike the blow their fury vow'd, Quell'd by his look, and listening to his lore, Learn, like his passions, to rebel no more When, lavish of his boiling blood, to prove The cure of slavish life, and slighted love, Brave Marcus now in early death appears, While Cato counts his wounds and not his years; Who, checking private grief, the public mourns, Commands the pity he so greatly scorns: But when he strikes (to crown his generous part) That honest, staunch, impracticable heart, No tears, no sobs, pursue his parting breath; The dying Roman shames the pomp of death. O sacred Freedom which the powers bestow To season blessings, and to soften woe, Plant of our growth, and aim of all our cares, The toil of ages, and the crown of wars If, taught by thee, thy poet's wit has flow'd In strains as precious as his hero's blood; Preserve those strains and everlasting charm, To keep that blood, and thy remembrance warm; Be this thy guardian image still secure; In vain shall force invade, or fraud allure: Our great Palladium shall perform its part, Fix'd and inshrined in every British heart. A Riddle of Dean Swift's, versified. You ask a story, not more strange than true; Nor must I hide it from a friend like you: Without disguise my wretched lot behold, In all its train of circumstances told: And tho' perhaps, what I shall first advance, May make the whole resemble a romance; A solemn truth it is--no whim, nor jest; Which, if you please--the Parson shall attest. Know then, dear Sir, my present situation Is in a small and sorry habitation, 111 fitted up, and fenced; upon the waste...