Custom & Convention Poems (428 Poems)
Fitz Adam’s Story (James Russell Lowell Poems)
The next whose fortune ’twas a tale to tellWas one whom men, before they thought, loved well,And after thinking wondered why they did,For half he seemed to let them, half forbid,And wrapped him so in humors, sheath on sheath,‘Twas hard … Continue reading
The Portrait (John Pierpont Poems)
Why does the eye, with greater pleasure, restOn the proud oak, in vernal honors drest,When sultry gales, that to his arms repair,Are cooled and freshened, while they linger there;Than when his fading robes are seared, and castOn the cold mercy … Continue reading
Vision Of Columbus – Book 1 (Joel Barlow Poems)
Long had the Sage, the first who dared to braveThe unknown dangers of the western wave,Who taught mankind where future empires layIn these fair confines of descending day,With cares o’erwhelm’d, in life’s distressing gloom,Wish’d from a thankless world a peaceful … Continue reading
The Pennsylvania (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)
PreludeI sing the Pilgrim of a softer climeAnd milder speech than those brave men’s who broughtTo the ice and iron of our winter timeA will as firm, a creed as stern, and wroughtWith one mailed hand, and with the other … Continue reading
The Little Dog (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)
THE key, which opes the chest of hoarded gold.Unlocks the heart that favours would withhold.To this the god of love has oft recourse,When arrows fail to reach the secret source,And I’ll maintain he’s right, for, ‘mong mankind,Nice presents ev’ry where … Continue reading
M’Fingal – Canto III (John Trumbull Poems)
Now warm with ministerial ire,Fierce sallied forth our loyal ‘Squire,And on his striding steps attendsHis desperate clan of Tory friends.When sudden met his wrathful eyeA pole ascending through the sky,Which numerous throngs of whiggish raceWere raising in the market-place.Not higher … Continue reading
The Minstrel; Or, The Progress Of Genius : Book I. (James Beattie Poems)
I.Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climbThe steep where Fame’s proud temple shines afar!Ah! who can tell how many a soul sublimeHath felt the influence of malignant star,And wag’d with Fortune an eternal war!Check’d by the scoff … Continue reading
Scenes From The Faust Of Goethe (Percy Bysshe Shelley Poems)
SCENE 1.-PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN. THE LORD AND THE HOST OF HEAVEN. ENTER THREE ARCHANGELS. RAPHAEL:The sun makes music as of oldAmid the rival spheres of Heaven,On its predestined circle rolledWith thunder speed: the Angels evenDraw strength from gazing on its … Continue reading
Festus – VI (Philip James Bailey Poems)
Our nextAdventure seems to promise fair, for be thereOne scene, in life whence evil may be ruledAbsent, ’tis sure pure early love. But notLove sole, with the world untried before one’s eye,Eager to search all being, though of gross caresFreed, … Continue reading
The Feast Of The Virgins – The Feast Of The Virgins (Hanford Lennox Gordon Poems)
The sun sails high in his azure realms;Beneath the arch of the breezy elmsThe feast is spread by the murmuring river.With his battle-spear and his bow and quiver,And eagle-plumes in his ebon hair,The chief Wakawa himself is there;And round the … Continue reading