01c. 1743 ADFair laughs the morn, and soft the zephyr blows; While proudly riding o'er the azure realm In gallant trim the gilded vessel goes, Youth on the prow, and Pleasure at the helm; Regardless of the sweeping whirlwind's sway, That hush'd in grim repose expects his evening prey.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
02c. 1743 ADYe towers of Julius, London's lasting shame, With many a foul and midnight murder fed.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
03c. 1743 ADVisions of glory, spare my aching sight! Ye unborn ages, crowd not on my soul!Thomas Gray / quote ↗
09c. 1743 ADThe curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea, The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
10c. 1743 ADEach in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
12c. 1743 ADNor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile The short and simple annals of the poor.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
13c. 1743 ADThe boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour. The paths of glory lead but to the grave.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
14c. 1743 ADWhere through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault, The pealing anthem swells the note of praise.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
15c. 1743 ADCan storied urn, or animated bust, Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Can honour's voice provoke the silent dust, Or flatt'ry soothe the dull cold ear of death?Thomas Gray / quote ↗
16c. 1743 ADHands that the rod of empire might have sway'd, Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
17c. 1743 ADBut Knowledge to their eyes her ample page, Rich with the spoils of time, did ne'er unroll; Chill penury repress'd their noble rage, And froze the genial current of the soul.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
18c. 1743 ADFull many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear; Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
19c. 1743 ADSome village Hampden, that with dauntless breast The little tyrant of his fields withstood, Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest, Some Cromwell guiltless of his country's blood.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
20c. 1743 ADThe applause of list'ning senates to command, The threats of pain and ruin to despise, To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land, And read their history in a nation's eyes.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
21c. 1743 ADForbade to wade through slaughter to a throne, And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
22c. 1743 ADFar from the madding crowd's ignoble strife Their sober wishes never learn'd to stray; Along the cool sequester'd vale of life They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
24c. 1743 ADAnd many a holy text around she strews, That teach the rustic moralist to die.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
