Lives of the English Poets : Waller, Milton, Cowley by Samuel Johnson
page 176 of 225 (78%)
page 176 of 225 (78%)
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Who would imagine it possible that in a very few lines so many
remote ideas could be brought together? Since 'tis my doom, love's undershrieve, Why this reprieve? Why doth my she advowson fly Incumbency? To sell thyself dust thou intend By candles end, And hold the contract thus in doubt, Life's taper out? Think but how soon the market fails, Your sex lives faster than the males; And if to measure age's span, The sober Julian were th' account of man, Whilst you live by the fleet Gregorian.--CLEVELAND. Of enormous and disgusting hyperboles, these may be examples: By every wind that comes this way, Send me at least a sigh or two, Such and so many I'll repay As shall themselves make winds to get to you.--COWLEY. In tears I'll waste these eyes, By love so vainly fed: So lust of old the deluge punished.--COWLEY. |
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