Impromptu, to Lady Winchelsea poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period In vain you boast Poetic Names of yore, And cite those Sapho’s we admire no more: Fate doom’d the Fall of ev’ry Female Wit, But doom’d it then when first Ardelia writ. Of all Examples by the World confest, […]
Imitations of Horace: The First Epistle of the Second Book poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Ne Rubeam, Pingui donatus Munere (Horace, Epistles II.i.267) While you, great patron of mankind, sustain The balanc’d world, and open all the main; Your country, chief, in arms abroad defend, At home, with morals, arts, and laws amend; How […]
From an Essay on Man poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Heav’n from all creatures hides the book of fate, All but the page prescrib’d, their present state: From brutes what men, from men what spirits know: Or who could suffer being here below? The lamb thy riot dooms to […]
Essay on Man poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period The First Epistle Awake, my ST. JOHN!(1) leave all meaner things To low ambition, and the pride of Kings. Let us (since Life can little more supply Than just to look about us and to die) Expatiate(2) free […]
Epistles to Several Persons: Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Shut, shut the door, good John! fatigu’d, I said, Tie up the knocker, say I’m sick, I’m dead. The dog-star rages! nay ’tis past a doubt, All Bedlam, or Parnassus, is let out: Fire in each eye, and papers […]
Epistles to Several Persons: Epistle IV, To Richard Boyle, poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia, neu se Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus aures: Et sermone opus est modo tristi, saepe jocoso, Defendente vicem modo Rhetoris atque Poetae, Interdum urbani, parcentis viribus, atque Extenuantis eas consulto. (Horace, Satires, I, x, […]
Epistle II: To A Lady (Of the Characters of Women) poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period NOTHING so true as what you once let fall, “Most Women have no Characters at all.” Matter too soft a lasting mark to bear, And best distinguish’d by black, brown, or fair. How many pictures of one Nymph […]
Epigram Engraved on the Collar of a Dog Which I Gave to His Royal Highness poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I am his Highness’ dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you? Poetry Monster – Home A few random poems: External links Bat’s Poetry Page – more poetry […]
Eloisa to Abelard poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period In these deep solitudes and awful cells, Where heav’nly-pensive contemplation dwells, And ever-musing melancholy reigns; What means this tumult in a vestal’s veins? Why rove my thoughts beyond this last retreat? Why feels my heart its long-forgotten heat? Yet, […]
Elegy to the Memory of an Unfortunate Lady poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period What beck’ning ghost, along the moon-light shade Invites my steps, and points to yonder glade? ‘Tis she!–but why that bleeding bosom gor’d, Why dimly gleams the visionary sword? Oh ever beauteous, ever friendly! tell, Is it, in heav’n, a […]
Couplets on Wit poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period I But our Great Turks in wit must reign alone And ill can bear a Brother on the Throne. II Wit is like faith by such warm Fools profest Who to be saved by one, must […]
Argus poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period When wise Ulysses, from his native coast Long kept by wars, and long by tempests toss’d, Arrived at last, poor, old, disguised, alone, To all his friends, and ev’n his Queen unknown, Changed as he was, with age, and […]
An Essay on Man in Four Epistles: Epistle 1 poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period To Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke Awake, my St. John! leave all meaner things To low ambition, and the pride of kings. Let us (since life can little more supply Than just to look about us and to die) […]
An Essay On Criticism poem – Alexander Pope
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period ‘Tis hard to say, if greater Want of Skill Appear in Writing or in Judging ill, But, of the two, less dang’rous is th’ Offence, To tire our Patience, than mis-lead our Sense: Some few in that, but Numbers […]
The Rape of the Lock: Canto 4 poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) But anxious cares the pensive nymph oppress’d, And secret passions labour’d in her breast. Not youthful kings in battle seiz’d alive, Not scornful virgins who their charms survive, Not ardent lovers robb’d of all their bliss, Not ancient ladies when refus’d a kiss, Not tyrants fierce that unrepenting die, […]
The Rape of the Lock: Canto 3 poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) Close by those meads, for ever crown’d with flow’rs, Where Thames with pride surveys his rising tow’rs, There stands a structure of majestic frame, Which from the neighb’ring Hampton takes its name. Here Britain’s statesmen oft the fall foredoom Of foreign tyrants and of nymphs at home; Here thou, […]
The Rape of the Lock: Canto 2 poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) Not with more glories, in th’ etherial plain, The sun first rises o’er the purpled main, Than, issuing forth, the rival of his beams Launch’d on the bosom of the silver Thames. Fair nymphs, and well-dress’d youths around her shone, But ev’ry eye was fix’d on her alone. On […]
The Rape of the Lock: Canto 1 poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos; Sedjuvat, hoc precibus me tribuisse tuis. (Martial, Epigrams 12.84) What dire offence from am’rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things, I sing–This verse to Caryl, Muse! is due: This, ev’n Belinda may vouchsafe to view: Slight is the subject, but not […]
The Rape of the Lock poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) Part 1 WHAT dire Offence from am’rous Causes springs, What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things, I sing — This Verse to C—, Muse! is due; This, ev’n Belinda may vouchfafe to view: Slight is the Subject, but not so the Praise, If She inspire, and He approve […]
The Iliad: Book VI (excerpt) poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 retir’d; and, with her second joy, The young Astyanax, the hope […]
The Dying Christian to His Soul poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 say, Sister Spirit, come away! What is this absorbs me […]
The Three Gentle Shepherds poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 ill, With gentle Carey and with gentle Budgell: Oh! may […]
The Temple of Fame poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 rest, And love itself was banish’d from my breast, (What […]
The Messiah : A Sacred Eclogue poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 touched Isaiah’s hallowed lips with fire! Rapt into future times […]
The Looking-Glass. : on Mrs. Pulteney poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 wife. Not greater arrogance in him we find, And this […]
The Iliad: Book VI (excerpt) poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 retir’d; and, with her second joy, The young Astyanax, the […]
The Fable of Dryope – Ovid’s Metamorphoses Book 9, [v. 324-393] poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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) relate A nearer woe, a sister’s stranger fate. No Nymph […]
The Dying Christian to His Soul poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 say, Sister Spirit, come away! What is this absorbs me […]
The Dunciad: Book IV poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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, To whom time bears me on his rapid wing, Suspend […]
The Dunciad: Book III. poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 heads refin’d from Reason know. Hence, from the straw where […]
The Dunciad: Book II. poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 conscious simper, and the jealous leer, Mix on his look: […]
The Dunciad: Book I. poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 vain decried and cursed, Still Dunce the second reigns like […]
The Challenge: A Court Ballad poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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, and Griffin. With a fa, la, la. II. What passes […]
The Basset-Table : An Eclogue poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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. I saw him stand behind Ombrelia’s Chair, And whisper with […]
Summer poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) See what delights in sylvan scenes appear! Descending Gods have found Elysium here. In woods bright Venus with Adonis stray’d, And chaste Diana haunts the forest shade. Come lovely nymph, and bless the silent hours, When swains from shearing seek their nightly bow’rs; When weary reapers quit the sultry […]
Summer – The Second Pastoral; or Alexis poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 flow, The flocks around a dumb compassion show, The Naiads […]
Summer – The Second Pastoral; or Alexis poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 flow, The flocks around a dumb compassion show, The Naiads […]
Spring – The First Pastoral ; or Damon poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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 play, And Albion’s cliffs resound the rural lay. You, that […]
Sound And Sense poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance. ‘Tis not enough no harshness gives offense, The sound must seem an echo to the sense: Soft is the strain when Zephyr gently blows, And the smooth stream in smoother numbers […]
Song, by a Person of Quality poem – Alexander Pope poems | Poetry Monster
A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) 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, All beneath yon flow’ry Rocks. III. Thus the Cyprian Goddess […]