[Cato continued. From hence, let fierce contending nations know What dire effects from civil discord flow. Act v. Sc. 4. Unbounded courage and compassion joined, And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform, And those that paint them truest praise them Ibid. Line ult. most.2 For wheresoe'er I turn my ravished eyes, Gay gilded scenes and shining prospects rise, Poetic fields encompass me around. And still I seem to tread on classic ground.3 Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, 1 This line is frequently ascribed to Pope, as it is found in the Dunciad, Book iii. Line 261. 2 Cf. Pope, Eloisa to Abelard, Lin. ult. 8 Malone states that this was the first time the phrase "classic ground," since so common, was ever used. Walpole.- Philips.. 253 Addison continued.] And nightly to the listening earth While all the stars that round her burn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole to pole. Ibid. For ever singing, as they shine, The hand that made us is divine. Ibid. SIR ROBERT WALPOLE. 1674-1746. Flowery oratory he despised. He ascribed to the interested views of themselves or their relatives the declarations of pretended patriots, of whom he said, All those men have their price.1 From Coxe's Memoirs of Walpole. Vol. iv. p. 369. Anything but history, for history must be false. Walpoliana. No. 141. The gratitude of place-expectants is a lively sense of future favours.2 AMBROSE PHILIPS. 1671 – 1749. Studious of ease and fond of humble things. From Holland to a Friend in England. 1 The political axiom, All men have their price, is commonly ascribed to Walpole. 2 Hazlitt, in his Wit and Humour, says, "This is Walpole's phrase." Let dogs delight to bark and bite, A fault which needs it most grows two thereby. Herbert, The Church Porch. To God the Father, God the Son, Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber! A Cradle Hymn. 'Tis the voice of the sluggard; I heard him com plain, "You have waked me too soon, I must slumber again." The Sluggard. Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound. A Funeral Thought. Strange that a harp of thousand strings Should keep in tune so long. Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Book ii. Hymn 19. I must be measur'd by my soul: The mind's the standard of the man.1 1 I do not distinguish by the eye, but by the mind, which is the proper judge of the man. - Seneca, On a Happy Life, Ch. 1. (L'Estrange's Abstract.) WILLIAM CONGREVE. 1670-1729. Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. The Mourning Bride. Acti. Sc. 1. By magic numbers and persuasive sound. Ibid. Acti. Sc. I. Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned. Ibid. Act iii. Sc. 8. For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, Ibid. Act v. Sc. 12. If there's delight in love, 't is when I see thee, thou liar of the first magnitude. Love for Love. Act ii. Sc. 5. Hannibal was a very pretty fellow in those days. The Old Bachelor. Act ii. Sc. 2. Thus grief still treads upon the heels of pleasure; Married in haste, we may repent at leisure.1 Ibid. Act v. Sc. I. Defer not till to-morrow to be wise, To-morrow's sun to thee may never rise.2 Letter to Cobham. 1 Cf. Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew, Act ii. Sc. 2; Quarles, Enchiridion, Canto 4, xl. 2 Cf. Young, Night Thoughts, i. Line 1. |