Back From Australia poem – John Betjeman poems | Poems and Poetry
Cocooned in Time, at this inhuman height, The packaged food tastes neutrally of clay, We never seem to catch the running day But travel on in everlasting night With all the chic accoutrements of flight: Lotions and essences in neat array And yet another plastic cup and tray. “Thank you so much. Oh no, […]
An Edwardian Sunday, Broomhill, Sheffield poem – John Betjeman poems | Poems and Poetry
High dormers are rising So sharp and surprising, And ponticum edges The driveways of gravel; Stone houses from ledges Look down on ravines. The vision can travel From gable to gable, Italianate mansion And turretted stable, A sylvan expansion So varied and jolly Where laurel and holly Commingle their greens. Serene on a […]
A Subaltern’s Love Song poem – John Betjeman poems | Poems and Poetry
Miss J.Hunter Dunn, Miss J.Hunter Dunn, Furnish’d and burnish’d by Aldershot sun, What strenuous singles we played after tea, We in the tournament; you against me! Love-thirty, love-forty, oh! weakness of joy, The speed of a swallow, the grace of a boy, With carefullest carelessness, gaily you won, I am weak from your […]
A Shropshire Lad poem – John Betjeman poems | Poems and Poetry
The gas was on in the Institute, The flare was up in the gym, A man was running a mineral line, A lass was singing a hymn, When Captain Webb the Dawley man, Captain Webb from Dawley, Came swimming along the old canal That carried the bricks to Lawley. Swimming along – Swimming along […]
A Bay In Anglesey poem – John Betjeman poems | Poems and Poetry
The sleepy sound of a tea-time tide Slaps at the rocks the sun has dried, Too lazy, almost, to sink and lift Round low peninsulas pink with thrift. The water, enlarging shells and sand, Grows greener emerald out from land And brown over shadowy shelves below The waving forests of seaweed […]
Winter – The Fourth Pastoral, or Daphne poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Lycidas. Thyrsis, the music of that murm’ring spring, Is not so mournful as the strains you sing. Nor rivers winding thro’ the vales below, So sweetly warble, or so smoothly flow. Now sleeping flocks on their soft fleeces […]
Vertumnus and Pomona : Ovid’s Metamorphoses, book 14 [v. 623-771] poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period The fair Pomona flourish’d in his reign; Of all the Virgins of the sylvan train, None taught the trees a nobler race to bear, Or more improv’d the vegetable care. To her the shady grove, the flow’ry field, […]
Verses Left by Mr. Pope poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period With no poetic ardour fir’d I press the bed where Wilmot lay; That here he lov’d, or here expir’d, Begets no numbers grave or gay. Beneath thy roof, Argyle, are bred Such thoughts as prompt the brave to […]
Translation of a Prayer of Brutus poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Goddess of woods, tremendous in the chase, To mountain wolves and all the savage race, Wide o’er the aerial vault extend thy sway, And o’er the infernal regions void of day. On thy third reign look down; disclose […]
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 […]
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 […]
To Mr. Thomas Southern, on his Birth-Day poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Resign’d to live, prepar’d to die, With not one sin, but poetry, This day Tom’s fair account has run (Without a blot) to eighty-one. Kind Boyle, before his poet, lays A table, with a cloth of bays; And […]
To Lady Mary Wortley Montagu poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I. In beauty, or wit, No mortal as yet To question your empire has dared: But men of discerning Have thought that in learning To yield to a lady was hard. II. Impertinent schools, With musty dull rules, […]
The Three Gentle Shepherds poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Of gentle Philips will I ever sing, With gentle Philips shall the valleys ring. My numbers too for ever will I vary, With gentle Budgell and with gentle Carey. Or if in ranging of the names I judge […]
The Temple of Fame poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period In that soft season, when descending show’rs Call forth the greens, and wake the rising flow’rs; When op’ning buds salute the welcome day, And earth relenting feels the genial day, As balmy sleep had charm’d my cares to […]
The Messiah : A Sacred Eclogue poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Ye nymphs of Solyma! begin the song, To heavenly themes sublimer strains belong. The mossy fountains, and the sylvan shades, The dreams of Pindus, and the Aonian maids, Delight no more – O thou, my voice inspire, Who […]
The Looking-Glass. : on Mrs. Pulteney poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period With scornful mien, and various toss of air, Fantastic vain, and insolently fair, Grandeur intoxicates her giddy brain, She looks ambition, and she moves disdain. Far other carriage grac’d her virgin life, But charming G–y’s lost in P–y’s […]
The Iliad: Book VI (excerpt) poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period He said, and pass’d with sad presaging heart To seek his spouse, his soul’s far dearer part; At home he sought her, but he sought in vain: She, with one maid of all her menial train, Had thence […]
The Fable of Dryope – Ovid’s Metamorphoses Book 9, [v. 324-393] poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period She said, and for her lost Calanthis sighs, When the fair Consort of her son replies. “Since you a servant’s ravish’d form bemoan, And kindly sigh for sorrows not your own; Let me (if tears and grief permit) […]
The Dying Christian to His Soul poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Vital spark of heav’nly flame! Quit, O quit this mortal frame: Trembling, hoping, ling’ring, flying, O the pain, the bliss of dying! Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife, And let me languish into life. Hark! they whisper; angels […]
The Dunciad: Book IV poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Yet, yet a moment, one dim ray of light Indulge, dread Chaos, and eternal Night! Of darkness visible so much be lent, As half to show, half veil, the deep intent. Ye pow’rs! whose mysteries restor’d I sing, […]
The Dunciad: Book III. poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period But in her Temple’s last recess inclos’d, On Dulness’ lap th’ Anointed head repos’d. Him close she curtains round with Vapours blue, And soft besprinkles with Cimmerian dew. Then raptures high the seat of Sense o’erflow, Which only […]
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, […]