The Poetical Works of Thomas Campbell (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1837. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Say thy life's new guided action Flowed from Virtue's fairest springs-- Still would Envy and Detraction Double not their stings? Worth itself is but a charter To be mankind's distinguished martyr." --I caught the moral, and cried, " Hail Spirit let us onward sail Envying, fearing, hating none-- Guardian Spirit, steer me on " VALEDICTORY STANZAS TO J. P. KEMBLE, Em. COMPOSED FOR A PUBLIC MEETING HELD JUNE 1817. Pride of the British stage, A long and last adieu Whose image brought th' heroic age Revived to Fancy's view. Like fields refreshed with dewy light When the sun smiles his last, Thy parting presence makes more bright Our memory of the past; And memory conjures feelings up That wine or music need not swell, As high we lift the festal cup To Kemble--fare thee well His was the spell o'er hearts Which only Acting lends, -- The youngest qf the sister Arts, Where all their beauty blends: For ill can Poetry express Full many a tone of thought sublime, And Painting, mute and motionless, Steals but a glance of time. But by the mighty actor brought, Illusion's perfect triumphs come, -- Verse ceases to be airy thought, And Sculpture to be dumb. Time may again revive, But ne'er eclipse the charm, When Cato spoke in him alive, Or Hotspur kindled warm. What soul was not resigned entire To the deep sorrows of the Moor, -- What English heart was not on fire With him at Agincourt I And yet a majesty possessed His transport's mos.t impetuous tone, And to each passion of the breast The Graces gave their zone. High were the task--too high, Ye conscious bosoms here In words to paint your memory . Of Kemble and of Lear; But who forgets that white discrowned head, Those bursts of Reason's half-extinguished glare Those tears upon Cordelia's bosom shed, In doubt mo...