Thomas Gray (1716 – 1771)
English poet, classical scholar, and professor of history at Cambridge University.
The verse adorn again
Fierce War, and faithful Love,
And Truth severe, by fairy Fiction drest.
Ah, tell them they are men!
Sweet is the breath of vernal shower,
The bee's collected treasures sweet,
Sweet music's melting fall, but sweeter yet
The still small voice of gratitude.
Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tow'r
The moping owl does to the moon complain.
Not all that tempts your wandering eyes
And heedless hearts, is lawful prize;
Nor all that glisters gold.
O'er her warm cheek and rising bosom move
The bloom of young Desire and purple light of Love.
When love could teach a monarch to be wise,
And gospel-light first dawn'd from Bullen's eyes.
Can storied urn, or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?
Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or Flatt'ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death?
In glittering arms and glory dressed,
High he rears his ruby crest.
There the thundering strokes begin,
There the press and there the din;
Talymalfra's rocky shore
Echoing to the battle's roar.
And hie him home, at evening's close,
To sweet repast and calm repose.
Bright-eyed Fancy, hov'ring o'er,
Scatters from her pictured urn
Thoughts that breathe and words that burn.
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with the spoils of time did ne'er unroll;
Chill Penury repressed their noble rage,
And froze the genial current of the soul.
Iron sleet of arrowy shower
Hurtles in the darkened air.
Glance their many-twinkling feet.
Loose his beard, and hoary hair
Stream'd like a meteor to the troubled air.
No dolphin came, no Nereid stirred;
Nor cruel Tom, nor Susan heard.
A favourite has no friend!
Dear as the light that visits these sad eyes;
Dear as the ruddy drops that warm my heart.
Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem swells the note of praise.
Now my weary lips I close;
Leave me, leave me to repose!
Ye towers of Julius, London's lasting shame,
With many a foul and midnight murder fed.