A Selection of English Epigrams: Extracted Principally from the British and American Journals; and Comprising the Most Valuable of Those Contained in The British Martial; with Some Originals

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Joshua Belcher., 1812 - Epigrams - 131 pages
 

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Page 76 - Three poets, in three distant ages born, Greece, Italy, and England did adorn. The first in loftiness of thought surpassed, The next in majesty, in both the last. The force of Nature could no farther go ; To make a third she joined the former two.
Page 23 - In all thy humours, whether grave or mellow, Thou'rt such a touchy, testy, pleasant fellow; Hast so much wit, and mirth, and spleen, about thee, There is no living with thee, nor without thee.
Page 86 - Tender-handed stroke a nettle, And it stings you for your pains ; Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.
Page 97 - Then ventured to give him some sober advice — But Tom is a person of honour so nice, Too wise to take counsel, too proud to take warning, That he sent to all three a challenge next morning. Three duels he fought, thrice...
Page 59 - I know the thing that's most uncommon, (Envy, be silent, and attend !) ; I know a reasonable woman, Handsome and witty, yet a friend. Not warp'd by passion, aw'd by rumour, Not grave through pride, or gay through folly, An equal mixture of good humour, And sensible soft melancholy. " Has she no faults then " (Envy says)
Page 46 - The King to Oxford sent his troop of horse, For Tories own no argument but force; With equal care to Cambridge books he sent, For Whigs allow no force but argument.
Page 46 - The King, observing, with judicious eyes, The state of both his Universities, To one he sent a regiment ; for why ? That learned body wanted loyalty : To th1 other he sent books, as well discerning How much that loyal body wanted learning.
Page 62 - In merry old England it once was a rule, The King had his Poet, and also his Fool : But now we're so frugal, I'd have you to know it, That Cibber can serve both for Fool and for Poet.
Page 98 - Nobles and heralds, by your leave, Here lies what once was Matthew Prior, The son of Adam and of Eve : Can Bourbon or Nassau claim higher ? " But, in this case, the old prejudice got the better of the old joke.
Page 71 - While Malice, Pope, denies thy page Its own celestial fire; While Critics, and while Bards in rage, Admiring, won't admire : " While wayward pens thy worth assail, And envious tongues decry ; These times tho' many a Friend bewail, These times bewail not I.

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