Mark Akenside Quotes

The man forget not, though in rags he lies,
And know the mortal through a crown's disguise.

Ask the faithful youth
Why the cold urn of her whom long he loved
So often fills his arms; so often draws
His lonely footsteps at the silent hour
To pay the mournful tribute of his tears?
Oh! he will tell thee that the wealth of worlds
Should ne'er seduce his bosom to forego
That sacred hour, when, stealing from the noise
Of care and envy, sweet remembrance soothes
With virtue's kindest looks his aching breast,
And turns his tears to rapture.

Youth calls for Pleasure, Pleasure calls for Love.

Pall on her temper, like a twice-told tale.

Than Timoleon's arms require,
And Tully's curule chair, and Milton's golden lyre.

Heaven's all-subduing will,
With good the progeny of ill,
Attempreth every state below.

Is aught so fair
In all the dewy landscapes of the spring,
In the bright eye of Hesper or the morn,
In nature's fairest forms, is aught so fair
As virtuous friendship? as the candid blush
Of him who strives with fortune to be just?
The graceful tear that streams for others' woes?
Or the mild majesty of private life,
Where peace with ever blooming olive crowns
The gate; where Honour's liberal hands effuse
Unenvied treasures, and the snowy wings
Of Innocence and Love protect the scene?

Can art, alas! or genius guide the head
Where truth and freedom from the heart are fled?
Can lesser wheels repeat their native stroke,
When the prime function of the soul is broke?

Seeks painted trifles and fantastic toys,
And eagerly pursues imaginary joys.

Man loves knowledge, and the beams of truth
More welcome touch his understanding's eye
Than all the blandishments of sound his ear,
Than all of taste his tongue.

O'er yonder eastern hill the twilight pale
Walks forth from darkness; and the God of day,
With bright Astraea seated by his side,
Waits yet to leave the ocean.

Oft the hours
From morn to eve have stolen unmark'd away,
While mute attention hung upon his lips.

Such and so various are the tastes of men!

The Providence of heaven
Has some peculiar blessing given
To each allotted state below.

Adieu, for him,
The dull engagements of the bustling world!
Adieu the sick impertinence of praise!
And hope, and action! for with her alone,
By streams and shades, to steal these sighing hours,
Is all he asks, and all that fate can give!