Book i
. Chap. xviii. § 472._
JOHN HOME. 1724-1808.
In the first days Of my distracting grief, I found myself As women wish to be who love their lords.
_Douglas. Act i. Sc. 1._
I 'll woo her as the lion wooes his brides.
_Douglas. Act i. Sc. 1._
My name is Norval; on the Grampian hills My father feeds his flocks; a frugal swain, Whose constant cares were to increase his store, And keep his only son, myself, at home.
_Douglas. Act ii. Sc. 1._
A rude and boisterous captain of the sea.
_Douglas. Act iv. Sc. 1._
Like Douglas conquer, or like Douglas die.
_Douglas. Act v. Sc. 1._
WILLIAM MASON. 1725-1797.
The fattest hog in Epicurus' sty.[393-1]
_Heroic Epistle._
FOOTNOTES:
[393-1] Me pinguem et nitidum bene curata cute vises, . . . Epicuri de grege porcum
(You may see me, fat and shining, with well-cared for hide,-- . . . a hog from Epicurus' herd).--HORACE: _Epistolæ, lib. i. iv. 15, 16._
RICHARD GIFFORD. 1725-1807.
Verse sweetens toil, however rude the sound; She feels no biting pang the while she sings; Nor, as she turns the giddy wheel around,[393-2] Revolves the sad vicissitudes of things.[393-3]
_Contemplation._
FOOTNOTES:
[393-2] Thus altered by Johnson,--
All at her work the village maiden sings, Nor, while she turns the giddy wheel around.
[393-3] See Sterne, page 379.
ARTHUR MURPHY. 1727-1805.
Thus far we run before the wind.
_The Apprentice. Act v. Sc. 1._
Above the vulgar flight of common souls.
_Zenobia. Act v._
Picked up his crumbs.
_The Upholsterer. Act i._
JANE ELLIOTT. 1727-1805.
The flowers of the forest are a' wide awae.[393-4]
_The Flowers of the Forest._
FOOTNOTES:
[393-4] This line appears in the "Flowers of the Forest," part second, a later poem by Mrs. Cockburn. See Dyce's "Specimens of British Poetesses," p. 374.
OLIVER GOLDSMITH. 1728-1774.
Remote, unfriended, melancholy, slow, Or by the lazy Scheld or wandering Po.
_The Traveller. Line 1._
Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see, My heart untravell'd fondly turns to thee; Still to my brother turns with ceaseless pain, And drags at each remove a lengthening chain.
_The Traveller. Line 7._
And learn the luxury of doing good.[394-1]
_The Traveller. Line 22._
Some fleeting good, that mocks me with the view.
_The Traveller. Line 26._
These little things are great to little man.
_The Traveller. Line 42._
Creation's heir, the world, the world is mine!
_The Traveller. Line 50._
Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam,-- His first, best country ever is at home.
_The Traveller. Line 73._
Where wealth and freedom reign contentment fails, And honour sinks where commerce long prevails.
_The Traveller. Line 91._
Man seems the only growth that dwindles here.
_The Traveller. Line 126._
The canvas glow'd beyond ev'n Nature warm, The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form.[394-2]
_The Traveller. Line 137._
By sports like these are all their cares beguil'd; The sports of children satisfy the child.
_The Traveller. Line 153._
But winter lingering chills the lap of May.
_The Traveller. Line 172._
Cheerful at morn, he wakes from short repose, Breasts the keen air, and carols as he goes.
_The Traveller. Line 185._
So the loud torrent and the whirlwind's roar But bind him to his native mountains more.
_The Traveller. Line 217._
Alike all ages. Dames of ancient days Have led their children through the mirthful maze, And the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore, Has frisk'd beneath the burden of threescore.
_The Traveller. Line 251._
They please, are pleas'd; they give to get esteem, Till seeming blest, they grow to what they seem.[395-1]
_The Traveller. Line 266._
Embosom'd in the deep where Holland lies. Methinks her patient sons before me stand, Where the broad ocean leans against the land.
_The Traveller. Line 282._
Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, I see the lords of humankind pass by.[395-2]
_The Traveller. Line 327._
The land of scholars and the nurse of arms.
_The Traveller. Line 356._
For just experience tells, in every soil, That those that think must govern those that toil.
_The Traveller. Line 372._
Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law.
_The Traveller. Line 386._
Forc'd from their homes, a melancholy train, To traverse climes beyond the western main; Where wild Oswego spreads her swamps around, And Niagara stuns with thundering sound.
_The Traveller. Line 409._
Vain, very vain, my weary search to find That bliss which only centres in the mind.
_The Traveller. Line 423._
Luke's iron crown, and Damien's bed of steel.[395-3]
_The Traveller. Line 436._
Sweet Auburn! loveliest village of the plain.
_The Deserted Village. Line 1._
The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made.
_The Deserted Village. Line 13._
The bashful virgin's sidelong looks of love.
_The Deserted Village. Line 29._
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay. Princes and lords may flourish or may fade,-- A breath can make them, as a breath has made;[396-1] But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroy'd, can never be supplied.
_The Deserted Village. Line 51._
His best companions, innocence and health; And his best riches, ignorance of wealth.
_The Deserted Village. Line 61._
How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labour with an age of ease!
_The Deserted Village. Line 99._
While Resignation gently slopes away, And all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere the world be past.
_The Deserted Village. Line 110._
The watch-dog's voice that bay'd the whispering wind, And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.
_The Deserted Village. Line 121._
A man he was to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year.
_The Deserted Village. Line 141._
Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, Shoulder'd his crutch, and shew'd how fields were won.
_The Deserted Village. Line 157._
Careless their merits or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And even his failings lean'd to Virtue's side.
_The Deserted Village. Line 161._
And as a bird each fond endearment tries To tempt its new-fledg'd offspring to the skies, He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay, Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way.
_The Deserted Village. Line 167._
Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway, And fools who came to scoff, remain'd to pray.[397-1]
_The Deserted Village. Line 179._
Even children follow'd with endearing wile, And pluck'd his gown, to share the good man's smile.
_The Deserted Village. Line 183._
As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,-- Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head.
_The Deserted Village. Line 189._
Well had the boding tremblers learn'd to trace The day's disasters in his morning face; Full well they laugh'd with counterfeited glee At all his jokes, for many a joke had he; Full well the busy whisper circling round Convey'd the dismal tidings when he frown'd. Yet was he kind, or if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault; The village all declar'd how much he knew, 'T was certain he could write and cipher too.
_The Deserted Village. Line 199._
In arguing too, the parson own'd his skill, For e'en though vanquish'd he could argue still; While words of learned length and thundering sound Amaz'd the gazing rustics rang'd around; And still they gaz'd, and still the wonder grew That one small head could carry all he knew.
_The Deserted Village. Line 209._
Where village statesmen talk'd with looks profound, And news much older than their ale went round.
_The Deserted Village. Line 223._
The whitewash'd wall, the nicely sanded floor, The varnish'd clock that click'd behind the door; The chest, contriv'd a double debt to pay,-- A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day.[397-2]
_The Deserted Village. Line 227._
The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose.[398-1]
_The Deserted Village. Line 232._
To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm, than all the gloss of art.
_The Deserted Village. Line 253._
And e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart distrusting asks if this be joy.
_The Deserted Village. Line 263._
Her modest looks the cottage might adorn, Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn.
_The Deserted Village. Line 329._
Through torrid tracts with fainting steps they go, Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe.
_The Deserted Village. Line 344._
In all the silent manliness of grief.
_The Deserted Village. Line 384._
O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree!
_The Deserted Village. Line 385._
Thou source of all my bliss and all my woe, That found'st me poor at first, and keep'st me so.
_The Deserted Village. Line 413._
Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt; It 's like sending them ruffles when wanting a shirt.[398-2]
_The Haunch of Venison._
As aromatic plants bestow No spicy fragrance while they grow; But crush'd or trodden to the ground, Diffuse their balmy sweets around.[398-3]
_The Captivity. Act i._
To the last moment of his breath, On hope the wretch relies; And even the pang preceding death Bids expectation rise.[398-4]
_The Captivity. Act ii._
Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, Adorns and cheers our way;[399-1] And still, as darker grows the night, Emits a brighter ray.
_The Captivity. Act ii._
Our Garrick 's a salad; for in him we see Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree!
_Retaliation. Line 11._
Who mix'd reason with pleasure, and wisdom with mirth: If he had any faults, he has left us in doubt.
_Retaliation. Line 24._
Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind; Though fraught with all learning, yet straining his throat To persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote. Who too deep for his hearers still went on refining, And thought of convincing while they thought of dining: Though equal to all things, for all things unfit; Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit.
_Retaliation. Line 31._
His conduct still right, with his argument wrong.
_Retaliation. Line 46._
A flattering painter, who made it his care To draw men as they ought to be, not as they are.
_Retaliation. Line 63._
Here lies David Garrick, describe me who can, An abridgment of all that was pleasant in man.
_Retaliation. Line 93._
As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.
_Retaliation. Line 96._
On the stage he was natural, simple, affecting; 'T was only that when he was off he was acting.
_Retaliation. Line 101._
He cast off his friends as a huntsman his pack, For he knew when he pleas'd he could whistle them back.
_Retaliation. Line 107._
Who pepper'd the highest was surest to please.
_Retaliation. Line 112._
When they talk'd of their Raphaels, Correggios, and stuff, He shifted his trumpet and only took snuff.
_Retaliation. Line 145._
The best-humour'd man, with the worst-humour'd Muse.[400-1]
_Postscript._
Good people all, with one accord, Lament for Madam Blaize, Who never wanted a good word From those who spoke her praise.
_Elegy on Mrs. Mary Blaize._[400-2]
The king himself has followed her When she has walk'd before.
_Elegy on Mrs. Mary Blaize._
A kind and gentle heart he had, To comfort friends and foes; The naked every day he clad When he put on his clothes.
_Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog._
And in that town a dog was found, As many dogs there be, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, And curs of low degree.
_Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog._
The dog, to gain his private ends, Went mad, and bit the man.
_Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog._
The man recovered of the bite, The dog it was that died.[400-3]
_Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog._
A night-cap deck'd his brows instead of bay,-- A cap by night, a stocking all the day.[401-1]
_Description of an Author's Bed-chamber._
This same philosophy is a good horse in the stable, but an arrant jade on a journey.[401-2]
_The Good-Natured Man. Act i._
All his faults are such that one loves him still the better for them.
_The Good-Natured Man. Act i._
Silence gives consent.[401-3]
_The Good-Natured Man. Act ii._
Measures, not men, have always been my mark.[401-4]
_The Good-Natured Man. Act ii._
I love everything that 's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.[401-5]
_She Stoops to Conquer. Act i._
The very pink of perfection.
_She Stoops to Conquer. Act i._
The genteel thing is the genteel thing any time, if as be that a gentleman bees in a concatenation accordingly.
_She Stoops to Conquer. Act i._
I 'll be with you in the squeezing of a lemon.
_She Stoops to Conquer. Act i._
Ask me no questions, and I 'll tell you no fibs.
_She Stoops to Conquer. Act iii._
We sometimes had those little rubs which Providence sends to enhance the value of its favours.
_Vicar of Wakefield. Chap. i._
Handsome is that handsome does.[401-6]
_Vicar of Wakefield. Chap. i._
The premises being thus settled, I proceed to observe that the concatenation of self-existence, proceeding in a reciprocal duplicate ratio, naturally produces a problematical dialogism, which in some measure proves that the essence of spirituality may be referred to the second predicable.
_Vicar of Wakefield. Chap. vii._
I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellect too.
_Vicar of Wakefield. Chap. vii._
Turn, gentle Hermit of the Dale, And guide my lonely way To where yon taper cheers the vale With hospitable ray.
_The Hermit. Chap. viii. Stanza 1._
Taught by that Power that pities me, I learn to pity them.[402-1]
_The Hermit. Chap. viii. Stanza 6._
Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long.[402-2]
_The Hermit. Chap. viii. Stanza 8._
And what is friendship but a name, A charm that lulls to sleep, A shade that follows wealth or fame, And leaves the wretch to weep?
_The Hermit. Chap. viii. Stanza 19._
The sigh that rends thy constant heart Shall break thy Edwin's too.
_The Hermit. Chap. viii. Stanza 33._
By the living jingo, she was all of a muck of sweat.
_The Hermit. Chap. ix._
They would talk of nothing but high life, and high-lived company, with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, Shakespeare, and the musical glasses.
_The Hermit. Chap. ix._
It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition.[402-3]
_The Hermit. Chap. x._
To what happy accident[402-4] is it that we owe so unexpected a visit?
_The Hermit. Chap. xix._
When lovely woman stoops to folly, And finds too late that men betray, What charm can soothe her melancholy? What art can wash her guilt away?
_The Hermit. On Woman. Chap. xxiv._
The only art her guilt to cover, To hide her shame from every eye, To give repentance to her lover, And wring his bosom, is--to die.
_The Hermit. On Woman. Chap. xxiv._
To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and convenience of our lives.
_The Hermit. On Woman. Chap. xxi._
For he who fights and runs away May live to fight another day; But he who is in battle slain Can never rise and fight again.[403-1]
_The Art of Poetry on a New Plan_ (1761). _Vol. ii. p. 147._
One writer, for instance, excels at a plan or a title-page, another works away the body of the book, and a third is a dab at an index.[403-2]
_The Bee. No. 1, Oct. 6, 1759._
The true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them.[403-3]
_The Bee. No. iii. Oct. 20, 1759._
FOOTNOTES:
[394-1] See Garth, page 295.
CRABBE: _Tales of the Hall,