Anecdotes of Polite Literature ...

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G. Burnet, 1764 - Literature

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Page 99 - The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Awaits alike th
Page 12 - ... not the generous efforts of a virtuous mind be rewarded? In a word, shall the corporeal world be all order and harmony, the intellectual discord and confusion ? He who is bigot enough to believe these things, must bid adieu to that natural rule, of
Page 113 - Sweet babes, who, like the little playful fawns, Were wont to trip along these verdant lawns...
Page 14 - Thro' which the mind's all gentle graces shine ? They, like the sun, irradiate all between ; The body charms because the soul is seen. Hence, men are often captives of a face, They know not why, of no peculiar grace : Some forms, tho' bright, no mortal man can bear ; Some, none resist, tho
Page 38 - With that low cunning which in fools supplies, And amply too, the place of being wise, Which Nature, kind indulgent parent, gave To qualify the blockhead for a knave...
Page 113 - ... playful fawns, Were wont to trip along these verdant lawns By your delighted mother's side, Who now your infant steps shall guide...
Page 117 - A nation here I pity, and admire, Whom nobleft fentiments of glory fire, Yet taught by cuftom's force, and bigot fear, To ferve with pride, and boaft the yoke they bear : Whofe Nobles born to cringe, and to command, In courts a mean, in camps a gen'rous band ; From each low tool of pow'r content receive Thofe laws, their dreaded arms to Europe give. Whofe people vain in want, in bondage bleft, Tho...
Page 49 - Here let me bend, great Dryden, at thy shrine, Thou dearest name to all the tuneful nine. What if some dull lines in cold order creep, And with his theme the poet seems to sleep, Still, when his subject rises proud to view, With equal strength the Poet rises too. With strong invention, noblest vigour fraught, Thought still springs up and rises out of thought ; Numbers ennobling numbers in their...
Page 17 - There is not perhaps any real beauty or deformity more in one piece of matter than another...

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