Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AGAMEMNON: EPILOGUE, by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Our bard, to modern epilogue a foe Last Line: Or, if they doom the verse, absolve the heart. | ||||||||
Our bard, to modern epilogue a foe, Thinks such mean mirth but deadens generous wo; Dispels in idle air the moral sigh, And wipes the tender tear from Pity's eye: No more with social warmth the bosom burns; But all the unfeeling selfish man returns. Thus he began: -- And you approved the strain; Till the next couplet sunk to light and vain. You check'd him there. -- To you, to reason just, He owns he triumph'd in your kind disgust. Charm'd by your frown, by your displeasure graced, He hails the rising virtue of your taste Wide will its influence spread as soon as known: Truth, to be loved, needs only to be shown: Confirm it, once, the fashion to be good (Since fashion leads the fool, and awes the rude): No petulance shall wound the public ear; No hand applaud what honour shuns to hear; No painful blush the modest cheek shall stain; The worthy breast shall heave with no disdain. Chastised to decency, the British stage Shall oft invite the fair, invite the sage: Both shall attend well pleased, well pleased depart; Or, if they doom the verse, absolve the heart. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CASTLE OF INDOLENCE: CANTO 1 by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) THE SEASONS: A HYMN by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) TO FORTUNE by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) A NUPTIAL SONG by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) A PARAPHRASE OF THE LATTER PART OF THE SIXTH CHAPTER OF ST. MATTHEW by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) A POEM SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) AMATORY LINES by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) AN ODE ON AEOLUS'S HARP by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) AT CORINTH by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) ATHENS by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) BRITANNIA by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) EPITAPH ON MISS ELIZABETH STANLEY; IN HOLYROOD CHURCH, SOUTHAMPTON by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) |
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