Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A CHARACTER OF JOSEPH PRIESTLY, by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Champion of truth! Alike thro nature's field Last Line: He tun'd his pipe to suit the wild cascade. Alternate Author Name(s): Aikin, Anna Letitia Subject(s): Nostalgia; Friendship; Priestley, Joseph (1733-1804) | ||||||||
Champion of Truth! alike thro Nature's field, And where in sacred leaves she shines reveal'd, Alike in both, eccentric, piercing, bold, Like his own lightnings, which no chains can hold, Neglecting caution and disdaining art, He seeks no armour for a naked heart. Pursue the track thy ardent genius shows, That like the sun, illumines where it goes! Travel the various map of science o'er, Record past wonders and discover more! Pour thy free spirit o'er the breathing page, And wake the virtue of a careless age! But, O forgive, if touch'd with fond regret Fancy recalls the scenes she can't forget, Recalls the vacant smile, the social hours Which charm'd us once, for once those scenes were ours! And while thy praises thro wide realms extend We, sit in shades, and mourn the absent Friend. So, where the' impetuous river sweeps the plain, Itself a sea, and rushes to the main, While it's firm banks repel conflicting tides And stately on its breast the vessel rides; Admiring much, the shepherd stands to gaze Awe-struck, and mingling wonder with his praise; Yet more he loves its winding path to trace Thro beds of flowers, and Nature's rural face, While, yet a stream, the silent vale it chear'd By many a recollected scene endear'd, Where, trembling, first, beneath the poplar shade He tun'd his pipe to suit the wild cascade. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN INVENTORY OF THE FURNITURE IN DR. PRIESTLEY'S STUDY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD TO DR. PRIESTLEY. DEC. 29, 1792 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD TO DR. PRIESTLEY. DEC. 29, 1792 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD SONNETS ON EMINENT CHARACTERS: 3. PRIESTLEY by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE ODE TO SPRING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD WASHING-DAY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD A SUMMER EVENING'S MEDITATION by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD HYMN: 2 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |
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