True, says the Man to Luxury inclined; Without the Study of uncertain Art, Without much Labor of the Mind, Meer uninstructed Nature will impart, That Life too swiftly flies, and leaves all good behind. Sieze then, my Friends, (he cries) the present Hour; The Pleasure which to that belongs, The Feasts, the overflowing Bowls, the Mirth, the Songs,...Learn More

A bolder Youth, grown capable of Arms, Bellona courts with her prevailing Charms; Bids the inchanting Trumpet sound,Loud as Triumph, soft as Love, Striking now the Poles above, Then descending from the Skies, Soften every falling Note; As the harmonious Lark that sings and flies, When near the Earth, contracts her narrow Throat, And warbles on...Learn More

But With shall last (the vaunting Poet cries) The immortal Streams that from Parnassus flow, Shall make his never-fading Lawrels grow, Above this mouldring Earth to flourish in the Skies: And 2 when his Body falls in Funeral Fire, When late revolving Ages shall consume The very Pillars, that support his Tomb. His name shall live, and his best Part...Learn More

As Vain is Beauty, and as short her Power; Tho' in its proud, and transitory Sway, The coldest Hearts and wisest Heads obey That gay fantastic Tyrant of an Hour. On Beauty's Charms, (although a Father's Right, Though grave Seleucus! to thy Royal Side By holy Vows fair Stratonice be ty'd) With anxious Joy, with dangerous Delight, Too often gazes...Learn More

How vain is life! which rightly we compare to flying posts, that haste away, to plants, that fade with the declining day, to clouds, that sail amidst the yielding air, till by extension into that they flow, or, scattering on the world below, are lost and gone, ere we can say they were, to autumn-leaves, which every wind can chance, to rising...Learn More

If past the hazard of his tenderest years, neither in thoughtless sleep oppressed, nor poisoned with a tainted breast, loosed from the infant bands and female cares, a studious boy, advanced beyond his age, Wastes the dim lamp, and turns the restless page. For some loved book prevents the rising day, and on it, stolen aside, bestows the hours of...Learn More