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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THE
Foregoing Stanzas,
IN THE MODERN STYLE OF VERSIFICATION. |
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 | Neglected Genius |  |
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THE Foregoing Stanzas, IN THE MODERN STYLE OF VERSIFICATION.
In velvet green the meadows all were dight,
The glassy current rippled sweet along;
I saw the merry birds in feathers bright,
And listen'd to their pretty soothing song;
And as I paid attention to the strain,
A something sooth'd my breast with pleasure and with pain.
The glassy current rippled sweet along;
I saw the merry birds in feathers bright,
And listen'd to their pretty soothing song;
And as I paid attention to the strain,
A something sooth'd my breast with pleasure and with pain.
And thus o'ercome I stretch'd me on the green,
Till gentle sleep entranc'd my thoughtful breast;
A vision straight subdu'd my mind serene,
A fairy sight my wand'ring brain oppress'd;
Array'd as knights of chivalric renown,
Bards came to tilt, and bear away the verdant crown.
Till gentle sleep entranc'd my thoughtful breast;
A vision straight subdu'd my mind serene,
A fairy sight my wand'ring brain oppress'd;
Array'd as knights of chivalric renown,
Bards came to tilt, and bear away the verdant crown.
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This tournament, methought, the muses bless'd,
'Twas call'd the Chivalry of Genius' race;
Eàch knight by blooming maiden was caress'd,
His mien resplendant, figure 'ray'd in grace:
The lists were form'd of intertwisted bays,
The glitt'ring canopy beam'd bright Apollo's rays.
'Twas call'd the Chivalry of Genius' race;
Eàch knight by blooming maiden was caress'd,
His mien resplendant, figure 'ray'd in grace:
The lists were form'd of intertwisted bays,
The glitt'ring canopy beam'd bright Apollo's rays.
The knights in fancy's armour were bedight:
Some stalk'd in sable, tragedy to show;
While sons of comedy, in azure bright,
Laugh'd at their solemn visages of woe;
Some wore the rosy hue, with crested dove,
To picture them true champions of all conqu'ring love.
Some stalk'd in sable, tragedy to show;
While sons of comedy, in azure bright,
Laugh'd at their solemn visages of woe;
Some wore the rosy hue, with crested dove,
To picture them true champions of all conqu'ring love.
In lily robes some innocence display'd,
Others in gules invok'd the god of war:
Each in his proper blazonry array'd,
Follow'd bright fancy's god in radiant car;
No poet knight but thought the palm his own,
And thirsted to enjoy the never-fading crown.
Others in gules invok'd the god of war:
Each in his proper blazonry array'd,
Follow'd bright fancy's god in radiant car;
No poet knight but thought the palm his own,
And thirsted to enjoy the never-fading crown.
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The zephyrs, frighted, heard the trumpet's bray,
The sound for mastery the challenge gave;
Each poet-tilter, burning for the fray,
Couch'd firm the lance, with fancy's vigor brave;
When lo! a clarion sound defiance rung,—
Wonder each gaze express'd, surprise breath'd ev'ry tongue.
The sound for mastery the challenge gave;
Each poet-tilter, burning for the fray,
Couch'd firm the lance, with fancy's vigor brave;
When lo! a clarion sound defiance rung,—
Wonder each gaze express'd, surprise breath'd ev'ry tongue.
Arm'd cap a pee a youth straight grac'd the field,
Clad in each tint of fancy's heav'nly hue;
His slender arm upheld a giant's shield,
A lance he grasp'd that might an host subdue;
Then cast the glove, exclaiming, “Brothers, see!
“A stripling dares your wits to feats of chivalry!”
Clad in each tint of fancy's heav'nly hue;
His slender arm upheld a giant's shield,
A lance he grasp'd that might an host subdue;
Then cast the glove, exclaiming, “Brothers, see!
“A stripling dares your wits to feats of chivalry!”
While speaking thus, he from his girdle took
A parchment scroll, with varied figures grac'd;
The sun-like beacon met each wond'ring look,
The muses own'd the record they had trac'd;
Each shrunk abash'd, the general cry was—“Yield!
“Apollo's child, Great Chatterton, subdues the field!”
A parchment scroll, with varied figures grac'd;
The sun-like beacon met each wond'ring look,
The muses own'd the record they had trac'd;
Each shrunk abash'd, the general cry was—“Yield!
“Apollo's child, Great Chatterton, subdues the field!”
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Woke from this trance, upon the dream I dwelt,
Rose from the sod, and homeward bent my course;
Enraptur'd, all the poet's merit felt,
His witching pathos, and subduing force;
Yielded the knee at boyhood's brilliant shrine,
And hail'd Rowleian Chatterton—The youth Divine.
Rose from the sod, and homeward bent my course;
Enraptur'd, all the poet's merit felt,
His witching pathos, and subduing force;
Yielded the knee at boyhood's brilliant shrine,
And hail'd Rowleian Chatterton—The youth Divine.
| Neglected Genius | |