The Masters of English LiteratureMacmillan, 1904 - 423 pages |
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Page 1
... Born in or about 1340 , he must have grown up among the triumphs of Crecy and Poitiers . His father was a wine merchant who had close relations with the king ( it must be remembered that Chaucer's London was smaller than Bath is to- day ) ...
... Born in or about 1340 , he must have grown up among the triumphs of Crecy and Poitiers . His father was a wine merchant who had close relations with the king ( it must be remembered that Chaucer's London was smaller than Bath is to- day ) ...
Page 3
... born , nearly three centuries after the Norman con- quest , English was neither the language of govern- ment nor of learning . The conquerors had indeed adopted the speech of the conquered , modified by the gradual shedding of many ...
... born , nearly three centuries after the Norman con- quest , English was neither the language of govern- ment nor of learning . The conquerors had indeed adopted the speech of the conquered , modified by the gradual shedding of many ...
Page 11
... born hym weel , as of so litel space , In hope to stonden in his lady grace . Embrouded was he , as it were a meede Al ful of freshė floures , whyte and reede ; Syngynge he was , or floytynge all the day ; He was as fressh as is the ...
... born hym weel , as of so litel space , In hope to stonden in his lady grace . Embrouded was he , as it were a meede Al ful of freshė floures , whyte and reede ; Syngynge he was , or floytynge all the day ; He was as fressh as is the ...
Page 21
... born about 1552 at London , of gentle parentage and well connected . Educated at Merchant Taylor's School , he went with a scholar- ship to Pembroke Hall , Cambridge , at the age of seventeen ; and so early as this he was translating ...
... born about 1552 at London , of gentle parentage and well connected . Educated at Merchant Taylor's School , he went with a scholar- ship to Pembroke Hall , Cambridge , at the age of seventeen ; and so early as this he was translating ...
Page 33
... born in February , 1564 , two months before Shakespeare . He was educated at Cambridge , and in or about 1588 the first part of Tamburlaine was acted , George Alleyn , the famous actor of that day , playing the tyrant . The tragedy of ...
... born in February , 1564 , two months before Shakespeare . He was educated at Cambridge , and in or about 1588 the first part of Tamburlaine was acted , George Alleyn , the famous actor of that day , playing the tyrant . The tragedy of ...
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Popular passages
Page 181 - Peace to all such ! but were there one whose fires True genius kindles, and fair fame inspires; Blest with each talent and each art to please, And born to write, converse, and live with ease; Should such a man, too fond to rule alone, Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne...
Page 145 - Bacchus' blessings are a treasure; Drinking is the soldier's pleasure: Rich the treasure; Sweet the pleasure; Sweet is pleasure after pain! Soothed with the sound, the king grew vain; Fought all his battles o'er again : And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he slew the slain!
Page 272 - Piping down the valleys wild, Piping songs of pleasant glee, On a cloud I saw a child, And he laughing said to me: "Pipe a song about a Lamb!' So I piped with merry cheer. 'Piper, pipe that song again;
Page 332 - Of towns and cities, I have owed to them, In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart; And passing even into my purer mind, With tranquil restoration ; — feelings too...
Page 181 - Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And without sneering, teach the rest to sneer; Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike, Just hint a fault and hesitate dislike...
Page 332 - But oft, in lonely rooms, and 'mid the din Of towns and cities, I have owed to them In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart; And passing even into my purer mind. With tranquil restoration...
Page 369 - That Light whose smile kindles the Universe, That Beauty in which all things work and move, That Benediction which the eclipsing Curse Of birth can quench not, that sustaining Love Which through the web of being blindly wove By man and beast and earth and air and sea, Burns bright or dim, as each are mirrors of The fire for which all thirst, now beams on me, Consuming the last clouds of cold mortality...
Page 243 - Here Reynolds is laid, and to tell you my mind, He has not left a wiser or better behind : His pencil was striking, resistless, and grand : His manners were gentle, complying, and bland ; Still born to improve us in every part, His pencil our faces, his manners our heart...
Page 135 - For his religion, it was fit To match his learning and his wit : 'Twas Presbyterian true blue, For he was of that stubborn crew Of errant saints, whom all men grant To be the true church militant ; Such as do build their faith upon The holy text of pike and gun ; Decide all controversies by Infallible artillery ; And prove their doctrine orthodox By apostolic blows and knocks...
Page 349 - It ceased; yet still the sails made on A pleasant noise till noon, A noise like of a hidden brook In the leafy month of June, That to the sleeping woods all night Singeth a quiet tune.