Neglected Genius A Poem. Illustrating the Untimely And Unfortunate Fate Of Many British Poets; From the Period of Henry the Eighth to the Aera of the Unfortunate Chatterton. Containing Imitations of their Different Styles, &c. &c. By W. H. Ireland |
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Lo! now a second sacrifice we view,
With glowing passions, and with bosom true;
See melancholy Hammond slowly move,
The bard dejected, and the slave of love.
Ah! cou'd a sordid thought debase her mind
For whom the poet felt a flame refin'd?
Could mundane wealth sufficient charms impart,
To make the nymph reject a lover's heart?
Yes, for though bless'd with fortune to ensure
Content through life, to her the bard was poor;
Stern to the last, she view'd his wretched state,
And with obdurate bosom scorn'd his fate.
Hammond oppress'd, to hopeless love a prey,
Warbled his Elegies, the minstrel's lay;
Array'd in classic elegance the strain,
Breath'd all he felt, and chid the nymph's disdain;
Nor wit nor wine, nor pleasure's mantling glow,
Reliev'd his breast, where dwelt the germ of woe.
With glowing passions, and with bosom true;
See melancholy Hammond slowly move,
The bard dejected, and the slave of love.
Ah! cou'd a sordid thought debase her mind
For whom the poet felt a flame refin'd?
Could mundane wealth sufficient charms impart,
To make the nymph reject a lover's heart?
Yes, for though bless'd with fortune to ensure
Content through life, to her the bard was poor;
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And with obdurate bosom scorn'd his fate.
Hammond oppress'd, to hopeless love a prey,
Warbled his Elegies, the minstrel's lay;
Array'd in classic elegance the strain,
Breath'd all he felt, and chid the nymph's disdain;
Nor wit nor wine, nor pleasure's mantling glow,
Reliev'd his breast, where dwelt the germ of woe.
| Neglected Genius | |