Theognis Restitutus, the Personal History of the Poet Deduced from His Existing Fragments [By J.H. Frere.]. (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. 1842 Excerpt: ...them, nor repine: --Mere human violence, rapine and stealth Have brought me down to poverty, from wealth, The following is a soliloquy, in which he is endeavouring to bring his mind into a more composed state. LIU. Learn patience, 0 my soul though rack'd and torn With deep distress--Bear it --it must be borne Your unavailing hopes and vain regret, Forget them, or endeavour to forget: Those womanish repiniugs, unrepress'd, (Which gratify your foes, ) serve to molest Your sympathising friends--Learn to endure And bear calamities you cannot cure Nor hope to change the laws of Destiny, -By mortal efforts --Vainly would you fly To the remotest margin of the sky, J The following lines in a more composed and manly strain, seem to belong to the same period. LIV. Entire and perfect happiness is never VouchsaPd to man; but nobler minds endeavour To keep their inward sorrows unreveal'd. With meaner spirits, nothing is conceal'd: Weak, and unable to conform to fortune; With rude rejoicing or complaint importune, They vent their exultation or distress. Whate'er betides us, grief or happiness, The brave and wise, will bear with steady mind, Th' allotment unforeseen and undefin'd, Of good or evil, which the Gods bestow, Promiscuously dealt to man below. What has been said a little while ago, of Theognis' remonstrances against the rules of Providence, requires to be illustrated; and the illustration may not improperly be placed here, as it is by no means improbable, that the verses might have been composed about this time. LV. 0 mighty Jove I wish the Powers of Heaven Would change their method that a rule were given Hence forward, for the wicked and profane, To check their high presumption, and restrain Their insolences and their cruelties: Who mock your ordinances, and