28 quotes
Man loves knowledge, and the beams of truth
More welcome touch his understanding's eye
Than all the blandishments of sound his ear,
Than all of taste his tongue.
The Pleasures of the Imagination (1744)
Such and so various are the tastes of men!
The Pleasures of the Imagination (1744)
The man forget not, though in rags he lies,
And know the mortal through a crown's disguise.
Epistle to Curio (1744)
Oft the hours
From morn to eve have stolen unmark'd away,
While mute attention hung upon his lips.
The Pleasures of the Imagination (1744)
Heaven's all-subduing will,
With good the progeny of ill,
Attempreth every state below.
Odes on Several Subjects (1745)
And the veil
Spun from the cobweb fashion of the times,
To hide the feeling heart?
Seeks painted trifles and fantastic toys,
And eagerly pursues imaginary joys.
The Virtuoso (1737)
The Providence of heaven
Has some peculiar blessing given
To each allotted state below.
Odes on Several Subjects (1745)
Whither is Europe’s ancient spirit fled?
Where are those valiant tenants of her shore,
Who from the warrior bow the strong dart sped,
Or with firm hand the rapid pole-axe bore?
An Ode to the Country Gentlemen of England (1758)
Speak, ye, the pure delight, whose favour’d steps
The lamp of science, through the jealous maze
Of nature guides, when haply you reveal
Her secret honours.
The Pleasures of the Imagination (1744)
Others of graver mien; behold, adorn'd
With holy ensigns, how sublime they move,
And bending oft their sanctimonious eyes
Take homage of the simple-minded throng;
Ambassadors of heaven!
The Pleasures of the Imagination (1744)
Than Timoleon's arms require,
And Tully's curule chair, and Milton's golden lyre.
Odes on Several Subjects (1745)
Youth calls for Pleasure, Pleasure calls for Love.
O'er yonder eastern hill the twilight pale
Walks forth from darkness; and the God of day,
With bright Astraea seated by his side,
Waits yet to leave the ocean.
Hymn to the Naiads (1746)
Can art, alas! or genius guide the head
Where truth and freedom from the heart are fled?
Can lesser wheels repeat their native stroke,
When the prime function of the soul is broke?
Epistle to Curio (1744)
Rustic herald of the spring.
Odes on Several Subjects (1745)
Adieu, for him,
The dull engagements of the bustling world!
Adieu the sick impertinence of praise!
And hope, and action! for with her alone,
By streams and shades, to steal these sighing hours,
Is all he asks, and all that fate can give!
The Pleasures of the Imagination (1744)
The green retreats
Of Academus.
A double task to paint the finest features of the mind, and to most subtle and mysterious things give color, strength, and motion.
Attributed Forty Thousand Quotations (1917)
Different minds incline to different objects; one pursues the vast alone, the wonderful, the wild; another sighs for harmony and grace, and gentlest beauty.
Attributed Forty Thousand Quotations (1917)