The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper Volume 5; Including the Series Edited with Prefaces, Biographical and Critical (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1810 Excerpt: ...could endure; The like by Nero (but in showe) was showne, A fatall warrant when one did procure, Who wish'd that letters he had never koowne, That, as his heart, his band might have pure: Of meekenesse thus that monster did estecme, "No nature is so bad, but good would seeme.' When Zamae's fielJwivs-.' chang'd Italian fates, Whilst there conferr'd noCfeXT to be deceav'd) The two great leaders of the rival states, Of warre's ehiefe chiefes the Carthaginian crav'd, He plac't himsclfe next two of former dates, Whilst, though not nam'd, his foe more praise re-, ceav'd, To whom he told, if not ore-com'd by thee, Then I had thought my selfe first of the three. A law too popular bent to have crost, Whilst all the senate was eonjur'd in one, When Marius fail'd, in whom they trusted most, That all with him from their first course were gone, Then brave Metellus not his courage lost, But us'de those words, not yeelding when alone, "A pilot's part in calmes can not be spi'd, In dangerous times true worth is onely tri'd." To part the world those who did first agree, When in his sliippe for nought save feasting stor'd, One offered was by seising upon three; Of all their empires to bee onely lord; But weighing duty in a high degree, To stray from faith that iufidell abhorrM; And (though thus tempted) from his faith not fell; In this, this Pompey, Ca?sar did excell. A number such as I have marked here, Of vcrtue zealous, jealous of their fame, Who held both faith, and mutuall duties deere, Did treason loath, and all what fraude did frame, At last in judgment boldly may compeere, Those who more knowledge hail the more to blame, What men did cov'nant, what God did command, Both humane, divine, who brake every baud. He Who chang'd nature's course, did nations ...