Thomas Gray ( 10 of 57 )
When iron scourge, and tort'ring hour
The bad affright, afflict the best.
When iron scourge, and tort'ring hour
The bad affright, afflict the best.
Tho' he inherit
Not the pride, nor ample pinion,
That the Theban eagle bear,
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Tho' he inherit
Not the pride, nor ample pinion,
That the Theban eagle bear,
Sailing with supreme dominion
Thro' the azure deep of air.
As to posterity, I may ask (with somebody whom I have forgot)
what has it ever done to oblige read more
As to posterity, I may ask (with somebody whom I have forgot)
what has it ever done to oblige me?
E'en from the tomb the voice of nature cries,
E'en in our ashes live their wonted fires.
E'en from the tomb the voice of nature cries,
E'en in our ashes live their wonted fires.
To each his suff'rings; all are men,
Condemn'd alike to groan;
The tender for another's pain,
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To each his suff'rings; all are men,
Condemn'd alike to groan;
The tender for another's pain,
Th' unfeeling for his own.
Yet ah! why should they know their fate,
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies?
Thought would destroy their paradise.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Nor cast one longing, ling'ring look behind.
Nor cast one longing, ling'ring look behind.
The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast.
The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast.
Loose his beard, and hoary hair
Stream's, like a meteor, to the troubled air.
Loose his beard, and hoary hair
Stream's, like a meteor, to the troubled air.
