Chapters on Early English Literature

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E. Moxn, 1837 - English literature - 344 pages

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Page 293 - Here she was wont to go ! and here ! and here ! Just where those daisies, pinks, and violets grow . The world may find the spring by following her, For other print her airy steps ne'er left. Her treading would not bend a blade of grass, Or shake the downy blow-ball from his stalk ! But like the soft west wind she shot along, And where she went, the flowers took thickest root, As she had sowed them with her odorous foot.
Page 264 - What hell it is in suing long to bide ; To lose good days that might be better spent ; To waste long nights in pensive discontent; To speed to-day, to be put back to-morrow ; To feed on hope ; to pine with fear and sorrow ; To have thy Prince's grace, yet want her peers...
Page 255 - And, next in order, sad OLD AGE we found. His beard all hoar, his eyes hollow and blind, With drooping cheer, still poring on the ground...
Page 255 - By him lay heavy Sleep, the cousin of Death, Flat on the ground, and still as any stone...
Page 170 - The matter and manner of their tales, and of their telling, are so suited to their different education, humours, and callings, that each of them would be improper in any other mouth.
Page 237 - Oh, ye knights of England, where is the custom and usage of noble chivalry that was used in those days ? What do ye now but go to the baynes and play at dice ? And some, not well advised, use not honest and good rule, against all order of knighthood. Leave this, leave it! and read the noble volumes of St Graal, of Lancelot, of Galaad, of Trystram, of Perse Forest, of Percyval, of Gawayn, and many more ; there shall ye see manhood, courtesy and gentleness.
Page 254 - And first within the porch and jaws of hell Sat deep REMORSE OF CONSCIENCE, all besprent With tears ; and to herself oft would she tell Her wretchedness; and cursing never stent...
Page 254 - And first within the porch and jaws of Hell Sat deep Remorse of Conscience, all besprent With tears : and to herself oft would she tell Her wretchedness, and cursing never stent...
Page 170 - Tales the various manners and humours (as we now call them) of the whole English nation in his age. Not a single character has escaped him. All his pilgrims are severally distinguished from each other; and not only in their inclinations, but in their very physiognomies and persons.
Page 181 - In olde dayes of the king Artour, " Of which that Bretons speken gret honour, <• All was this lond fulfilled of faerie; "The elf-quene, with hire joly compagnie " Danced ful oft in many a grene mede. " This was the old opinion as I rede...

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