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George Crabbe

Life dates: 1754 AD — 1832 AD

Listed in the author section of Bartlett’s ninth-edition anthology, in the linked 1905 printing. Dates reflect that historical edition and may differ from modern scholarship.

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Quotations and sayings

17c. 1793 AD
Six years had passed, and forty ere the six, When time began to play his usual tricks; The locks once comely in a virgin's sight, Locks of pure brown, displayed the encroaching white; The blood, once fervid, now to cool began, And Time's strong pressure to subdue the man. I rode or walked as I was wont before, But now the bounding spirit was no more; A moderate pace would now my body heat, A walk of moderate length distress my feet. I showed my stranger guest those hills sublime, But said, "The view is poor, we need not climb." At a friend's mansion I began to dread The cold neat parlor and gay glazed bed; At home I felt a more decided taste, And must have all things in my order placed. I ceased to hunt; my horses pleased me less— My dinner more; I learned to play at chess. I took my dog and gun, but saw the brute Was disappointed that I did not shoot. My morning walks I now could bear to lose, And blessed the shower that gave me not to choose. In fact, I felt a languor stealing on; The active arm, the agile hand, were gone; Small daily actions into habits grew, And new dislike to forms and fashions new. I loved my trees in order to dispose; I numbered peaches, looked how stocks arose; Told the same story oft—in short, began to prose.
George Crabbe / quote
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19c. 1793 AD
But what strange art, what magic can dispose The troubled mind to change its native woes, Or lead us willing from ourselves, to see Others more wretched, more undone than we? This books can do;—nor this alone, they give New views of life, and teach us how to live. They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise, Fools they admonish, and confound the wise; Their aid they lead to all; they never shun The man of sorrow, nor the wretch undone. Unlike the hard, the selfish, and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd; Nor tell to various people various things, But show to subjects what they show to kings. Blessed be the gracious Power! who taught mankind To stamp a lasting image of the mind. Beasts may convey and tuneful birds may sing their mutual feelings in the opening spring, But man alone has skill and power to send The heart’s warm dictates to a distant friend; ’Tis his alone to please, instruct, advise Ages remote, and nations yet to rise.
George Crabbe / quote
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22c. 1793 AD
Pilgrim, burden’d with thy sin, Come the way to Zion’s gate, There, till mercy speaks within, Knock, and weep, and watch, and wait. Knock—he knows the sinner’s cry; Weep—he loves the mourner’s tears; Watch—for saving grace is nigh; Wait—till heavenly grace appears. Hark, it is thy Saviour’s voice, “Welcome pilgrim to thy rest.” Now within the gate rejoice, Safe, and own’d, and bought, and blest. Safe—from all the lures of vice; Own’d—by joys the contrite know; Bought—by love and life the price; Blest—the mighty debt we owe. Holy pilgrim what for thee, In a world like this remain? From thy guarded breast shall flee Fear, and shame, and doubt and pain. Fear—the hope of heaven shall flee; Shame—from glory’s view retire; Doubt—in full belief shall die; Pain—in endless joy expire.
George Crabbe / quote
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