Mark Akenside Quotes

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?

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!

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.

Youth calls for Pleasure, Pleasure calls for Love.

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

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

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.

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

Others of graver mien; behold, adorn'd
With holy ensigns, how sublime they move,
And bending oft their sanctimonious eyes
Take homage of the simple-minded throng;
Ambassadors of heaven!

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?

Rustic herald of the spring.

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!