01c. 1743 ADFor who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing anxious being e'er resign'd, Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, Nor cast one longing ling'ring look behind?Thomas Gray / quote ↗
02c. 1743 ADE'en from the tomb the voice of nature cries, E'en in our ashes live their wonted fires.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
03c. 1743 ADBrushing with hasty steps the dews away, To meet the sun upon the upland lawn.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
04c. 1743 ADOne morn I miss'd him on the custom'd hill, Along the heath, and near his fav'rite tree: Another came; nor yet beside the rill, Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
05c. 1743 ADHere rests his head upon the lap of earth, A youth to fortune and to fame unknown: Fair Science frown'd not on his humble birth, And Melancholy mark'd him for her own.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
06c. 1743 ADLarge was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heaven did a recompense as largely send: He gave to mis'ry (all he had) a tear, He gained from Heav'n ('t was all he wish'd) a friend.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
07c. 1743 ADNo further seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode (There they alike in trembling hope repose), The bosom of his Father and his God.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
09c. 1743 ADRich windows that exclude the light, And passages that lead to nothing.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
10c. 1743 ADThe hues of bliss more brightly glow, Chastised by sabler tints of woe.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
11c. 1743 ADThe meanest floweret of the vale, The simplest note that swells the gale, The common sun, the air, the skies, To him are opening paradise.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
12c. 1743 ADAnd hie him home, at evening's close, To sweet repast and calm repose.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
13c. 1743 ADFrom toil he wins his spirits light, From busy day the peaceful night; Rich, from the very want of wealth, In heaven's best treasures, peace and health.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
15c. 1743 ADWhen love could teach a monarch to be wise, And gospel-light first dawn'd from Bullen's eyes. Too poor for a bribe, and too proud to importune; He had not the method of making a fortune.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
16c. 1743 ADNow as the Paradisiacal pleasures of the Mahometans consist in playing upon the flute and lying with Houris, be mine to read eternal new romances of Marivaux and Crebillon.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
17c. 1743 ADCan storied urn or animated bust / Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? / Can honour's voice provoke the silent dust, / Or flattery soothe the dull cold ear of death?Thomas Gray / quote ↗
18c. 1743 ADFar from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, / Their sober wishes never learned to stray; / Along the cool sequester'd vale of life / They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
19c. 1743 ADFor who to dumb forgetfulness a prey, / This pleasing anxious being e'er resigned, / Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, / Nor cast one longing lingering look behind?Thomas Gray / quote ↗
20c. 1743 ADHands that the rod of empire might have sway'd. / Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre.Thomas Gray / quote ↗
