Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Lyric and Legendary

Lyric and Legendary.

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Hail, ye mighty masters of the lay,
Nature's true sons, the friends of man and truth;
Whose song, sublimely sweet, serenely gay,
Amused my childhood, and informed my youth:
Oh! let your spirit still my bosom soothe,
Inspire my dreams, and my wild wanderings guide;
Your voice each rugged path of life can smoothe,
For well I know, wherever ye reside,
There harmony, and peace, and innocence abide.

Beattie.

 

Song sweetens toil, however rude the sound;
All at her work the village maiden sings;
Nor, while she turns the giddy wheel around,
Revolves the sad vicissitudes of life.

Giffard.

 

Those venerable ancient Song enditers
Soared many a pitch beyond our modern writers;
With rough, majestic strength they touched the heart,
And Truth and Nature made amends for Art.

Rowe.