Section: «Poems»

Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings: artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.); a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").

Ode V: Against Suspicion

I.Oh fly! 'tis dire Suspicion's mien;And, meditating plagues unseen,The sorceress hither bends:Behold her torch in gall imbrued:Behold — her garment..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Iv: To The Honourable Charles Townshend In The Country

I. 1.How oft shall i surveyThis humble roof, the lawn, the greenwood shade,The vale with sheaves o'erspread,The glassy brook, the flocks which round..

© Mark Akenside

The Virtuoso: In Imitation Of Spenser's Style And Stanza

“--- VidemusNugari solitos.”-PersiusWhilom by silver Thames's gentle stream,In London town there dwelt a subtile wight;A wight of mickle wealth, and..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xii: To Sir Francis Henry Drake, Baronet

I.Behold; the Balance in the skySwift on the wintry scale inclines:To earthy caves the Dryads fly,And the bare pastures Pan resigns.Late did the..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xii: On Recovering From A Fit Of Sickness, In The Country

I.Thy verdant scenes, O Goulder's hill,Once more i seek, a languid guest:With throbbing temples and with burden'd breastOnce more i climb thy steep..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xvii: On A Sermon Against Glory

I.Come then, tell me, sage divine,Is it an offence to ownThat our bosoms e'er inclineToward immortal glory's throne?For with me nor pomp, nor..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Vii: To The Right Reverend Benjamin Lord Bishop Of Winchester

I. 1.For toils which patriots have endur'd,For treason quell'd and laws secur'd,In every nation Time displaysThe palm of honourable praise.Envy may..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Ix: At Study

I.Whither did my fancy stray?By what magic drawn awayHave I left my studious theme?From this philosophic page,From the problems of the sage,Wandering..

© Mark Akenside

Ode X: To The Muse

I.Queen of my songs, harmonious maid,Ah why hast thou withdrawn thy aid?Ah why forsaken thus my breastWith inauspicious damps oppress'd?Where is the..

© Mark Akenside

Ode V: On Love Of Praise

I.Of all the springs within the mindWhich prompt her steps in fortune's maze,From none more pleasing aid we findThan from the genuine love of..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xvi: To Caleb Hardinge, M.D.

I.With sordid floods the wintry UrnHath stain'd fair Richmond's level green:Her naked hill the Dryads mourn,No longer a poetic scene.No longer there..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Ix. To Curio

Thrice hath the spring beheld thy faded fameSince I exulting grasp'd the tuneful shell:Eager through endless years to sound thy name,Proud that my..

© Mark Akenside

To Cordelia

JULY, 1740.From pompous life's dull masquerade,From Pride's pursuits, and Passion's war,Far, my Cordelia, very far,To thee and me may Heaven..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xv: To The Evening-Star

I.To-night retir'd the queen of heavenWith young Endymion stays:And now to Hesper is it givenAwhile to rule the vacant sky,Till she shall to her lamp..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xv: On Domestic Manners (Unfinished)

I.Meek honor, female shame,O! whither, sweetest offspring of the sky,From Albion dost thou fly;Of Albion's daughters once the favorite fame?O..

© Mark Akenside

A Song

The Shape alone let others prize,The Features of the Fair;I look for Spirit in her Eyes,And Meaning in her Air.A Damask Cheek, an Iv'ry Arm,Shall..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Iii: To A Friend, Unsuccessful In Love

I.Indeed, my Phædria, if to findThat wealth can female wishes gainHad e'er disturb'd your thoughtful mind,Or cost one serious moment's pain,I should..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Ii: To Sleep

I.Thou silent power, whose welcome swayCharms every anxious thought away;In whose divine oblivion drown'd,Sore pain and weary toil grow mild,Love is..

© Mark Akenside

Ode I: The Remonstrance Of Shakespeare

If, yet regardful of your native land,Old Shakespeare's tongue you deign to understand,Lo, from the blissful bowers where heaven rewardsInstructive..

© Mark Akenside

Inscriptions: Vii: The Wood Nymph

Approach in silence. 'tis no vulgar taleWhich I, the Dryad of this hoary oak,Pronounce to mortal ears. The second ageNow hasteneth to its period..

© Mark Akenside

Inscriptions: Ii: For A Statue Of Chaucer At Woodstock

Such was old Chaucer. such the placid mienOf him who first with harmony inform'dThe language of our fathers. Here he dweltFor many a cheerful day...

© Mark Akenside

Inscriptions: I: For A Grotto

To me, whom in their lays the shepherds callActæa, daughter of the neighbouring stream,This cave belongs. The fig-tree and the vine,Which o'er the..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Ii: On The Winter-Solstice

IThe radiant ruler of the yearAt length his wintry goal attains;Soon to reverse the long career,And northward bend his steady reins.Now, piercing..

© Mark Akenside

Inscriptions: Iii: Whoe'Er Thou Art Whose Pat In Summer Lies

Whoe'er thou art whose path in summer liesThrough yonder village, turn thee where the groveOf branching oaks a rural palace oldImbosoms. there dwells..

© Mark Akenside

Inscriptions: Viii: Ye Powers Unseen

Ye powers unseen, to whom, the bards of GreeceErected altars; ye who to the mindMore lofty views unfold, and prompt the heartWith more divine..

© Mark Akenside