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").

Smiles Connect the World

A smile can travel far and near,It speaks the language all can hear.No walls, no words, no time can bind,The magic of a heart so kind.It bridges..

© World Smile Day

The Power of a Smile

A smile can light the darkest night,It turns our troubles into light.It lifts the heart, it warms the soul,It makes the broken spirit whole.It asks..

© World Smile Day

Ode Viii: On Leaving Holland

I 1.Farewell to Leyden's lonely bound,The Belgian Muse's sober seat;Where dealing frugal gifts aroundTo all the favorites at her feet,She trains the..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Ix: To Curio

I.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

Ode Vi: Hymn To Cheerfulness

How thick the shades of evening close!How pale the sky with weight of snows!Haste, light the tapers, urge the fire,And bid the joyless day..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Viii: If Rightly Tuneful Bards Decide

I.If rightly tuneful bards decide,If it be fix'd in love's decrees,That beauty ought not to be triedBut by its native power to please,Then tell me..

© Mark Akenside

The Pleasures Of Imagination: Book The Third

What wonder therefore, since the indearing tiesOf passion link the universal kindOf man so close, what wonder if to searchThis common nature through..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xviii: To The Right Honourable Francis Earl Of Huntington

I. 1.The wise and great of every clime,Through all the spacious walks of Time,Where'er the Muse her power display'd,With joy have listen'd and..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xi: To The Country Gentlemen Of England

I.Whither is Europe's ancient spirit fled?Where are those valiant tenants of her shore,Who from the warrior bow the strong dart sped,Or with firm..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xiii: On Lyric Poetry

I. 1.Once more I join the Thespian choir,And taste the inspiring fount again:O parent of the Grecian lyre,Admit me to thy powerful strain—And lo..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Vii: On The Use Of Poetry

I.Not for themselves did human kindContrive the parts by heaven assign'dOn life's wide scene to play:Not Scipio's force, nor Cæsar's skillCan conquer..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Vi: To William Hall, Esquire: With The Works Of Chaulieu

I.Attend to Chaulieu's wanton lyre;While, fluent as the sky-lark singsWhen first the morn allures it's wings,The epicure his theme pursues:And tell..

© Mark Akenside

Taste

What, then, is taste but those internal powers,Active and strong, and feeling aliveTo each fine impulse? a discerning senseOf decent and sublime..

© Mark Akenside

Ode X: To Thomas Edwards, Esquire: On The Late Edition Of Mr. Pope's Work

I.Believe me, Edwards, to restrainThe licence of a railer's tongueIs what but seldom men obtainBy sense or wit, by prose or song:A task for more..

© Mark Akenside

The Pleasures Of Imagination: Book The Fourth

One effort more, one cheerful sally more,Our destin'd course will finish. and in peaceThen, for an offering sacred to the powersWho lent us gracious..

© Mark Akenside

The Pleasures Of Imagination: Book The First

With what attractive charms this goodly frameOf nature touches the consenting heartsOf mortal men; and what the pleasing storesWhich beauteous..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xiv: To The Honourable Charles Townshend: From The Country

I.Say, Townshend, what can London boastTo pay thee for the pleasures lost,The health to-day resign'd,When spring from this her favorite seatBade..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Xiii: To The Author Of Memoirs Of The House Of Brandenburgh

I.The men renown'd as chiefs of human race,And born to lead in counsels or in arms,Have seldom turn'd their feet from glory's chaceTo dwell with..

© Mark Akenside

The Poet

—A RhapsodyOf all the various lots around the ball,Which fate to man distributes, absolute;Avert, ye gods! that of the Muse's son,Curs'd with dire..

© Mark Akenside

Ode Iv: Affected Indifference. To The Same

I.Yes: you contemn the perjur'd maidWho all your favorite hopes betray'd:Nor, though her heart should home return,Her tuneful tongue it's falsehood..

© Mark Akenside

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