The Dunciad: Book II. poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period High on a gorgeous seat, that far out-shone Henley’s gilt tub, or Flecknoe’s Irish throne, Or that where on her Curlls the public pours, All-bounteous, fragrant grains and golden showers, Great Cibber sate: the proud Parnassian sneer, The […]
The Dunciad: Book I. poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period The Mighty Mother, and her son who brings The Smithfield muses to the ear of kings, I sing. Say you, her instruments the great! Called to this work by Dulness, Jove, and Fate; You by whose care, in […]
The Challenge: A Court Ballad poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I. To one fair lady out of Court, And two fair ladies in, Who think the Turk and Pope a sport, And wit and love no sin! Come, these soft lines, with nothing stiff in, To Bellenden, Lepell, […]
The Basset-Table : An Eclogue poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Cardelia. Smilinda. Cardelia. The Basset-Table spread, the Tallier come; Why stays Smilinda in the Dressing-Room? Rise, pensive Nymph, the Tallier waits for you: Smilinda. Ah, Madam, since my Sharper is untrue, I joyless make my once ador’d Alpeu. […]
Summer – The Second Pastoral; or Alexis poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period A Shepherd’s Boy (he seeks no better name) Led forth his flocks along the silver Thame, Where dancing sun-beams n the waters play’d, And verdant alders form’d a quiv’ring shade. Soft as he mourn’d, the streams forgot to […]
Summer – The Second Pastoral; or Alexis poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period A Shepherd’s Boy (he seeks no better name) Led forth his flocks along the silver Thame, Where dancing sun-beams n the waters play’d, And verdant alders form’d a quiv’ring shade. Soft as he mourn’d, the streams forgot to […]
Spring – The First Pastoral ; or Damon poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period First in these fields I try the sylvan strains, Nor blush to sport on Windsor’s blissful plains: Fair Thames, flow gently from thy sacred spring, While on thy banks Sicilian Muses sing; Let vernal airs tho’ trembling osiers […]
Song, by a Person of Quality poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I. Flutt’ring spread thy purple Pinions, Gentle Cupid, o’er my Heart; I a Slave in thy Dominions; Nature must give Way to Art. II. Mild Arcadians, ever blooming, Nightly nodding o’er your Flocks, See my weary Days consuming, […]
Sappho to Phaon (Ovid Heroid XV) poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Say, lovely youth, that dost my heart command, Can Phaon’s eyes forget his Sappho’s hand? Must then her name the wretched writer prove, To thy remembrance lost, as to thy love? Ask not the cause that I new […]
Sandys Ghost ; A Proper Ballad on the New Ovid’s Metamorphosis poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Ye Lords and Commons, Men of Wit, And Pleasure about Town; Read this ere you translate one Bit Of Books of high Renown. Beware of Latin Authors all! Nor think your Verses Sterling, Though with a Golden Pen […]
Prayer of St. Francis Xavier poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Thou art my God, sole object of my love; Not for the hope of endless joys above; Nor for the fear of endless pains below, Which they who love thee not must undergo. For me, and such as […]
On the Countess of Burlington Cutting Paper poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Pallas grew vapourish once, and odd, She would not do the least right thing, Either for goddess, or for god, Nor work, nor play, nor paint, nor sing. Jove frown’d, and, “Use,” he cried, “those eyes So skilful, […]
On Seeing the Ladies Crux-Easton Walk in the Woods by the Grotto. poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Authors the world and their dull brains have traced To fix the ground where Paradise was placed; Mind not their learned whims and idle talk; Here, here’s the place where these bright angels walk. Poetry Monster […]
On Mr. Gay poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Of Manners gentle, of Affections mild; In Wit, a Man; Simplicity, a Child: With native Humour temp’ring virtuous Rage, Form’d to delight at once and lash the age: Above Temptation, in a low Estate, 5 And uncorrupted, ev’n […]
On His Grotto at Twickenham poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Thou who shalt stop, where Thames’ translucent wave Shines a broad Mirror thro’ the shadowy Cave; Where ling’ring drops from min’ral Roofs distill, And pointed Crystals break the sparkling Rill, Unpolish’d Gems no ray on Pride bestow, And […]
On Colley Cibber poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period In merry old England it once was the rule The King had his poet and also his fool But now were so frugal I have you to know it That Cibber can serve both for fool and for […]
On Certain Ladies poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period When other fair ones to the shades go down, Still Chloe, Flavin, Delia, stay in town: Those ghosts of beauty wandering here reside, And haunt the places where their honour died. Poetry Monster – Home […]
On a Fan of the Author’s Design poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Come gentle Air! th’ AEolian shepherd said, While Procris panted in the secret shade: Come, gentle Air, the fairer Delia cries, While at her feet her swain expiring lies. Lo the glad gales o’er all her beauties stray, […]
On a Certain Lady at Court poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I know a thing that’s most uncommon; (Envy, be silent and attend!) I know a reasonable Woman, Handsome and witty, yet a Friend. Not warp’d by Passion, awed by Rumour; Not grave through Pride, nor gay through Folly, […]
Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I. Descend ye Nine! descend and sing; The breathing instruments inspire, Wake into voice each silent string, And sweep the sounding lyre! In a sadly-pleasing strain Let the warbling lute complain: Let the loud trumpet sound, ‘Till the […]
Occasioned By Some Verses of His Grace the Duke of Buckingham poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Muse, ’tis enough: at length thy labour ends, And thou shalt live, for Buckingham commends. Let Crowds and Critics now my verse assail, Let Dennis write, and nameless numbers rail: This more than pays whole years of thankless […]
To Mrs. M. B. On Her Birthday poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Oh be thou blest with all that Heav’n can send, Long Health, long Youth, long Pleasure, and a Friend: Not with those Toys the female world admire, Riches that vex, and Vanities that tire. With added years if […]
Macer : A Character poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period When simple Macer, now of high renown, First fought a Poet’s Fortune in the Town, ‘Twas all th’ Ambition his high soul could feel, To wear red stockings, and to dine with Steele. Some Ends of verse his […]
Lines Written in Windsor Forest poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period All hail, once pleasing, once inspiring shade! Scene of my youthful loves and happier hours! Where the kind Muses met me as I stray’d, And gently press’d my hand, and said “Be ours!- Take all thou e’er shalt […]
Inscription on a Grotto, the Work of Nine Ladies. poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Here, shunning idleness at once and praise, This radiant pile nine rural sisters raise; The glittering emblem of each spotless dame, Clear as her soul and shining as her frame; Beauty which nature only can impart, And such […]
In Imitation of Spenser : The Alley poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I. In ev’ry Town, where Thamis rolls his Tyde, A narrow pass there is, with Houses low; Where ever and anon, the Stream is ey’d, And many a Boat soft sliding to and fro. There oft are heard […]
In Imitation of E. of Rochester : On Silence poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I. Silence! coeval with Eternity; Thou wert, ere Nature’s-self began to be, ‘Twas one vast Nothing, all, and all slept fast in thee. II. Thine was the sway, ere heav’n was form’d, or earth, Ere fruitful Thought conceiv’d […]
In Imitation of E. of Dorset : Artemisia poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Tho’ Artemisia talks, by fits, Of councils, classics, fathers, wits; Reads Malbranche, Boyle, and Locke; Yet in some things methinks she fails, ‘Twere well if she would pare her nails, And wear a cleaner smock. Haughty and huge […]
In Imitation of Dr. Swift : The Happy Life of a Country Parson poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Parson, these things in thy possessing Are better than the Bishop’s blessing. A Wife that makes conserves; a Steed That carries double when there’s need: October store, and best Virginia, Tithe-Pig, and mortuary Guinea: Gazettes sent gratis down, […]
In Imitation of Cowley : The Garden poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Fain would my Muse the flow’ry Treasures sing, And humble glories of the youthful Spring; Where opening Roses breathing sweets diffuse, And soft Carnations show’r their balmy dews; Where Lilies smile in virgin robes of white, The thin […]
In Imitation of Chaucer poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Women ben full of Ragerie, Yet swinken not sans secresie. Thilke Moral shall ye understond, From Schoole-boy’s Tale of fayre Irelond: Which to the Fennes hath him betake, To filch the gray Ducke fro the Lake. Right then, […]
Farewell to London poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Dear, damn’d distracting town, farewell! Thy fools no more I’ll tease: This year in peace, ye critics, dwell, Ye harlots, sleep at ease! Soft B– and rough C–s adieu, Earl Warwick made your moan, The lively H–k and […]
Epistle To Mrs Teresa Blount.[On Her Leaving The Town After The Coronation] poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period As some fond virgin, whom her mother’s care Drags from the town to wholesome country air, Just when she learns to roll a melting eye, And hear a spark, yet think no danger nigh; From the dear man […]
Epistle To Mrs Teresa Blount.[On Her Leaving The Town After The Coronation] poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period As some fond virgin, whom her mother’s care Drags from the town to wholesome country air, Just when she learns to roll a melting eye, And hear a spark, yet think no danger nigh; From the dear man […]
Chorus of Youths and Virgins poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Semichorus. Oh Tyrant Love! hast thou possest The prudent, learn’d, and virtuous breast? Wisdom and wit in vain reclaim, And Arts but soften us to feel thy flame. Love, soft intruder, enters here, But ent’ring learns to be […]
Chorus of Athenians poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Strophe I. Ye shades, where sacred truth is sought; Groves, where immortal Sages taught; Where heav’nly visions of Plato fir’d, And Epicurus lay inspir’d! In vain your guiltless laurels stood Unspotted long with human blood. War, horrid war, […]
Autumn – The Third Pastoral, or Hylas and Ægon poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Beneath the shade a spreading Beech displays, Hylas and Aegon sung their rural lays, This mourn’d a faithless, that an absent Love, And Delia’s name and Doris’ fill’d the Grove. Ye Mantuan nymphs, your sacred succour bring; Hylas […]
To the Author of a Poem Entitled Succession poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Begone, ye Critics, and restrain your spite, Codrus writes on, and will for ever write, The heaviest Muse the swiftest course has gone, As clocks run fastest when most lead is on; What tho’ no bees around your […]
An Essay on Man: Epistle II poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I. Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man. Plac’d on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise, and rudely great: With too much knowledge for the sceptic […]
You Know Where You Did Despise poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period You know where you did despise (Tother day) my little Eyes, Little Legs, and little Thighs, And some things, of little Size, You know where. You, tis true, have fine black eyes, Taper legs, and tempting Thighs, Yet […]