Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 14. TO THE HON. CHARLES TOWNSHEND - FROM THE COUNTRY, by MARK AKENSIDE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Say, townshend,what can london boast Last Line: "by friendship was reclaim'd." Subject(s): Friendship | ||||||||
I. SAY, Townshend, what can London boast To pay thee for the pleasures lost, The health to-day resign'd, When spring from this her favourite seat Bade winter hasten his retreat, And met the western wind. II. O knew'st thou how the balmy air, The sun, the azure heavens prepare To heal thy languid frame, No more would noisy courts engage; In vain would lying faction's rage Thy sacred leisure claim. III. Oft I look'd forth, and oft admired; Till, with the studious volume tired, I sought the open day; And sure, I cried, the rural gods Expect me in their green abodes, And chide my tardy lay. IV. But ah, in vain my restless feet Traced every silent, shady seat Which knew their forms of old: Nor Naiad by her fountain laid, Nor Wood-nymph tripping through her glade, Did now their rites unfold: V. Whether to nurse some infant oak They turn the slowly tinkling brook And catch the pearly showers, Or brush the mildew form the woods, Or paint with noontide beams the buds, Or breathe on opening flowers. VI. Such rites, which they with spring renew, The eyes of care can never view; And care hath long been mine: And hence offended with their guest, Since grief of love my soul oppress'd, They hide their toils divine. VII. But soon shall thy enlivening tongue This heart, by dear affliction wrung, With noble hope inspire; Then will the sylvan powers again Receive me in their genial train, And listen to my lyre. VIII. Beneath you Dryad's lonely shade A rustic altar shall be paid, Of turf with laurel framed: And thou the inscription wilt approve; "This for the peace which, lost by love, By friendship was reclaim'd." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOU & I BELONG IN THIS KITCHEN by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JASON THE REAL by TONY HOAGLAND NO RESURRECTION by ROBINSON JEFFERS CHAMBER MUSIC: 17 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 18 by JAMES JOYCE THE STONE TABLE by GALWAY KINNELL ALMSWOMAN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN TO AN ENEMY by MAXWELL BODENHEIM SONNET: 10. TO A FRIEND by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES THE VIRTUOSO; IN IMITATION OF SPENCER'S STYLE AND STANZA by MARK AKENSIDE |
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