Stones from The Quarry or, Moods of Mind. By Henry Browne [i.e. Henry Ellison] |
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THE CLEOPATRA OF SHAKSPEAR AND
DRYDEN. |
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 | Stones from The Quarry |  |
THE CLEOPATRA OF SHAKSPEAR AND DRYDEN.
A doughty tussle! and 'tis “All for Love;”A mighty theme for mightiest pens indeed;
Not the weak bleatings of the pastoral reed;
The lisping loves and cooings of the dove
Of Corydon and Phyllis; far above
As Pegasus to livery-stable steed,
“Hack'd out;” ay, Love and Death here interplead,
Like mighty opposites their full strengths prove!
'Tis like Antæus with great Hercules;
Strife tho' not of the flesh, but spirit; dead
With dead before, for Fame immortal's lease,
And Fame must hold, or crown each honoured head.
'Tis Antony and Cæsar; such are these,
No lesser strengths; with Cleopatra's lead!
| Stones from The Quarry | |