Samuel Rogers

  •   IF thou shouldst ever come by choice or chance
    To Modena, where still religiously
    Among her ancient trophies is preserved
    Bologna’s bucket (in its chain it hangs
    Within that reverend tower, the Guirlandina),
    Stop at a palace near the Reggio gate,...

  • From “Italy”
      THIS region, surely, is not of the earth.
    Was it not dropt from heaven? Not a grove,
    Citron or pine or cedar, not a grot
    Sea-worn and mantled with the gadding vine,
    But breathes enchantment. Not a cliff but flings
    On the clear wave...

  • From “Italy”
      THERE is a glorious City in the Sea.
    The Sea is in the broad, the narrow streets,
    Ebbing and flowing; and the salt sea-weed
    Clings to the marble of her palaces.
    No track of men, no footsteps to and fro,
    Lead to her gates. The path...

  • From “The Pleasures of Memory”
      ETHEREAL power! who at the noon of night
    Recall’st the far fled spirit of delight;
    From whom that musing, melancholy mood
    Which charms the wise, and elevates the good;
    Blest Memory, hail! O grant the grateful muse,
    ...

  • O That the chemist’s magic art
      Could crystallize this sacred treasure!
    Long should it glitter near my heart,
      A secret source of pensive pleasure.

    The little brilliant, ere it fell,
      Its lustre caught from Chloe’s eye;
    Then, trembling, left...

  •             MY mule refreshed, his bells
    Jingled once more, the signal to depart,
    And we set out in the gray light of dawn,
    Descending rapidly,—by waterfalls
    Fast frozen, and among huge blocks of ice
    That in their long career had stopt midway;
    At...