Section: «Poems»

Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings: artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.); a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").

The Minstrel; Or, The Progress Of Genius (Excerpts)

THE FIRST BOOK (excerpts)Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climbThe steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar!Ah! who can tell how many a soul..

© James Beattie

Ode To Peace

I. 1.Peace, heaven-descended maid! whose powerful voiceFrom ancient darkness call'd the morn;And hush'd of jarring elements the noise,When Chaos..

© James Beattie

Elegy

1Tired with the busy crowds, that all the dayImpatient throng where Folly's altars flame,My languid powers dissolve with quick decay,Till genial..

© James Beattie

The Minstrel ; Or, The Progress Of Genius - Book Ii.

I.Of chance or change O let not man complain,Else shall he never never cease to wail:For, from the imperial dome, to where the swainRears the lone..

© James Beattie

The Hermit

At the close of day, when the hamlet is still,And mortals the sweets of forgetfulness prove,When nought but the torrent is heard on the hill,And..

© James Beattie

Epitaph, Intended For Himself

1Escaped the gloom of mortal life, a soulHere leaves its mouldering tenement of clay,Safe where no cares their whelming billows roll,No doubts..

© James Beattie

Elegy, Written In The Year 1758

Still, shall unthinking man substantial deemThe forms that fleet through life's deceitful dream?On clouds, where Fancy's beam amusive plays,Shall..

© James Beattie

Nature

O how canst thou renounce the boundless storeOf charms which Nature to her votary yields!The warbling woodland, the resounding shore,The pomp of..

© James Beattie

Epitaph: Being Part Of An Inscription For A Monument

Farewell, my best-beloved; whose heavenly mindGenius with virtue, strength with softness join'd;Devotion, undebased by pride or art,With meek..

© James Beattie

Life And Immortality

'O ye wild groves, oh, where is now your bloom!'(The muse interprets thus his tender thought)Your flowers, your verdure, and your balmy gloom,Of late..

© James Beattie

Hope Beyond The Grave

'Tis night, and the landscape is lovely no more;I mourn, but, ye woodlands, I mourn not for you;For morn is approaching, your charms to..

© James Beattie

The Hares, A Fable.

Yes, yes, I grant the sons of earthAre doom'd to trouble from their birth.We all of sorrow have our share;But say, is yours without compare?Look..

© James Beattie

Song, In Imitation Of Shakspeare's

1Blow, blow, thou vernal gale!Thy balm will not availTo ease my aching breast;Though thou the billows smooth,Thy murmurs cannot sootheMy weary soul..

© James Beattie

Law

Laws, as we read in ancient sages,Have been like cobwebs in all ages.Cobwebs for little flies are spread,And laws for little folks are made;But if an..

© James Beattie

Elegy (Tir'D With The Busy Crouds)

Tir'd with the busy crouds, that all the dayImpatient throng where Folly's altars flame,My languid powers dissolve with quick decay,Till genial Sleep..

© James Beattie

Retirement

When in the crimson cloud of Even,The lingering light decays,And Hesper on the front of HeavenHis glittering gem displays!Deep in the silent vale..

© James Beattie

Bonduca

Queen Bonduca, I do not grieve your fortune.If I grieve, 'tis at the bearing of your fortunes;You put too much wind to your sail: discretionAnd hardy..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

Unfolding The Flocks

Shepherds, rise, and shake off sleep -See the blushing morn doth peepThrough your windows, while the sunTo the mountain-tops has run,Gilding all the..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

Folding The Flocks

Shepherds all, and maidens fair,Fold your flocks up; for the air'Gins to thicken, and the sunAlready his great course hath run.See the dew-drops, how..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

To Venus

O divine star of Heaven,Thou in power above the seven;Thou, O gentle Queen, that artCurer of each wounded heart,Thou the fuel, and the flame;Thou in..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

Consolation Of Early Death

Sweet prince, the name of Death was never terribleTo him that knew to live; nor the loud torrentOf all afflictions, singing as they swim,A gall of..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

Love At First Sight - (From Philaster)

Sitting in my window,Pointing my thoughts in lawn, I saw a god,(I thought, but it was you,) enter our gates;My blood flew out and back again, as..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

Sleep - (From Valentinian)

Care-charming sleep, thou easer of all woes,Brother to death; sweetly thyself disposeOn this afflicted prince; fall, like a cloud,In gentle showers;..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

Lay A Garland On My Hearse

Lay a garland on my hearse,Of the dismal yew,Maidens, willow branches bear,Say I died true.My love was false, but I was firmFrom my hour of..

© Beaumont and Fletcher

Poet's Mood

Hence, all you vain delights,As short as are the nightsWherein you spend your folly!There's nought in this life sweet,If man were wise to see it,But..

© Beaumont and Fletcher