The Poetical Works of Mark Akinside: With His Life

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C. Wells, 1838 - 143 pages
 

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Page 15 - Rest at the fated goal. For from the birth Of mortal man, the Sovereign Maker said, That not in humble nor in brief delight, Not in the fading echoes of renown, Power's purple robes, nor pleasure's flowery lap, The soul should find enjoyment: but from these Turning disdainful to an equal good, Through all the ascent of things enlarge her view, Till every bound at length should disappear, And infinite perfection close the scene.
Page 83 - For him, the Spring Distils her dews, and from the silken gem Its lucid leaves unfolds : for him, the hand Of Autumn tinges every fertile branch With blooming gold, and blushes like the morn.
Page 9 - Then liv'd the almighty One : then, deep retir'd In his unfathom'd essence, view'd the forms, The forms eternal of created things ; The radiant sun, the/ moon's nocturnal lamp, The mountains, woods, and streams, the rolling globe, And wisdom's mien celestial. From the first Of days, on them his love divine he fix'd, His admiration : till in time complete, What he admir'd and lov'd, his vital smile Unfolded into being.
Page 83 - Each passing hour sheds tribute from her wings ; And still new beauties meet his lonely walk, And loves unfelt attract him. Not a breeze Flies o'er the meadow, not a cloud imbibes The setting Sun's effulgence, not a strain From all the tenants of the warbling shade Ascends, but whence his bosom can partake Fresh pleasure, unreproved.
Page 8 - Truth ; and where Truth deigns to come, Her sister Liberty will not be far. Be present all ye genii, who conduct The wandering footsteps of the youthful bard, New to your springs and shades : who touch his ear With finer sounds : who heighten to his eye The bloom of Nature, and before him turn The gayest, happiest attitude of things.
Page 137 - Lull'd by the murmur of my rising fount, I slumber ; here my clustering fruits I tend ; Or, from the humid flowers at break of day, Fresh garlands weave, and chase from all my bounds Each thing impure or noxious.
Page 84 - Fresh pleasure only: for the attentive mind By this harmonious action on her powers Becomes herself harmonious: wont so oft In outward things to meditate the charm Of sacred order, soon she seeks at home To find a kindred order, to exert Within herself this elegance of love, This fair inspir'd delight: her temper'd powers Refine at length, and every passion wears A chaster, milder, more attractive mien.
Page 57 - Of regal Envy, strew the public way With hallow'd ruins ; when the Muse's haunt, The marble porch where Wisdom wont to talk With SOCRATES or TULLY, hears no more...
Page 84 - Would sordid policies, the barbarous growth Of ignorance and rapine, bow her down To tame pursuits, to indolence and fear! Lo ! she appeals to Nature, to the...
Page 84 - Refine at length, and every passion wears A chaster, milder, more attractive mien. But if to ampler prospects, if to gaze On Nature's form, where, negligent of all These lesser graces, she assumes the port Of that eternal majesty that weigh'd . The world's foundations...

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