From “The Vanity of Human Wishes”
ON what foundations stands the warrior’s pride,
How just his hopes, let Swedish Charles decide:
A frame of adamant, a soul of fire,
No dangers fright him, and no labors tire;
O’er love, o’er fear, extends his wide domain...
Samuel Johnson
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From “Prologue”
[Spoken by Mr. Garrick at the opening of the Theatre in Drury Lane, in 1747.]WHEN Learning’s triumph o’er her barbarous foes
First reared the stage, immortal Shakespeare rose;
Each change of many-colored life he drew,
Exhausted worlds... -
From “Irene”
TO-MORROW’S action! can that hoary wisdom,
Borne down with years, still doat upon to-morrow!
The fatal mistress of the young, the lazy,
The coward and the fool, condemned to lose
An useless life in waiting for to-morrow,
To gaze with... -
Life of Ages, richly poured,
Love of God, unspent and free,
Flowing in the Prophet’s word
And the People’s liberty!Never was to chosen race
That unstinted tide confined;
Thine is every time and place,
Fountain sweet of heart and mind!... -
City of God, how broad and far
Outspread thy walls sublime!
The true thy chartered freemen are,
Of every age and clime.One holy Church, one army strong,
One steadfast high intent,
One working band, one harvest-song,
One King...