Union First Line Index of English Verse

13th-19th Century (bulk 1500-1800)


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79 Records Found
First Line Author Title Last Line Library Shelfmark Folio  
 
A dangler is of neither sex A creature born to teaze and vex  Anonymous  The Dangler  Complying brings him in a scrape But yeild, and he carries out - a rape  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 74r 
Accept sole mistress of my heart This New Year's gift of love  Anonymous  Verses addressed to Mrs H - on New Year's Day - with a Present  There would I be with thee above! And call thee still - my own  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 127v 
Afflicted sore with gout or stone But which we do not find  Anonymous  A Romish Priest refus'd Entrance into Hell  That you, who eat your God alone May eat the Devil here  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 35r-v 
Ah, stay thy treacherous hand, forbear to trace Those faultless forms of elegance and grace  Warton, Thomas  Verses on Sir Joshua Reynolds' painted window at New College, Oxford  With arts unknown before to reconcile The willing graces to the Gothic pile  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 117v-119v 
All in the downs the fleet was moor'd The streamers waving in the wind  Gay, John  Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan  Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land Adieu she cries and wav'd her lilly hand  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 11r-12r (recto only) 
Alwhile ye drink, midst age and ache yhent Ah creep not comfortlesse besyde our stream  Anonymous  Verses in the Pump-Room at Bath, said to be written by a Gentleman of Oxford  How bleste to dye when sufferinge faithe makes sure At lyfe's high founte, an everlastynge cure!  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 43v 
Aurora now darts thro' red-streaked skies His blushes dispelling the night  Smith, Will  Hunting Song. Tune, O'er the lawn, up the hills  Here let Pity bestow the compassionate tear The grateful remembrance that graces her bier  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 126v-127r 
Away! let naught to love displeasing My Winefreda move thy tears  Anonymous    You'll in your girls again be courted And I go wooing in my boys  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 25r-v 
Believe me, dear girl, I was happy to find So many good folks were so much of a mind  Anonymous  Letter 4th  With face half-averted must laugh in the Church And instead of a Posset(?) will order them - Birch  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 92r-94r 
Beneath this place Is stow'd his Grace  Anonymous  Epitaph on the Duke of Grafton kill'd at the Siege of Cork  I'll say no more But here lies Henry Duke of Grafton  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 40v 
Blush not, ye fair, to own me, but be wise Nor turn from sad mortality your eyes  Anonymous  The Lady's Skull  Yet virtue still against decay can arm And even lend mortality a charm  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 59v-60r 
Brethren, this comes to let you know That I woud have you to preach slow  Byrom, John  Dr Byroms Charge to the Clergy  Take time enough - all other graces Will soon fill up their proper places  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 105v-107r 
By your hon'r's command An example I stand  Anonymous  Verses written by a Sailor in the Tartar who was sentenc'd to a cat and nine tails. Addressed to the Captain  Can so make your heart fail O! save me from that which has nine  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 75r 
Cain in disgrace with Heaven, retired to Nod A place undoubtedly as far from God  Anonymous    And there a city built of ancient fame Which he from Eden, Edenburgh did name  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 125r 
Come let us rejoice, merry boys, at his fall For egad had he liv'd, he'd have buried us all.  Anonymous  On a Parson of a Country Parish    U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 53v 
Dear Chloe while thus beyond measure You treat me with doubts and disdain  Anonymous  Advice to Chloe  And the current of fondness still flows Which decrepit old age cannot freeze  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 18r-19r (recto only) 
Did he, who thus inscrib'd this wall Not read, or not believe St Paul  Barrington (?)  Domus Ultima. Inscription in the vault for the Richmond family in the Cathedral of Chichester  Or must we gather from these words That house is not a House of Lords?  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 99v 
Fairist flow'r all flowers excelling Which in Eden's garden grew  Cotton, Nathaniel  To a Child of 5 years old by Dr Cotton of St Albans.  Then pursue good sense and duty Ever-greens that ne're decay  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 49r 
Father of all, whose throne illumines heaven All honour to thy holy name be given  Fawkes, Mr.  The Lord's Prayer  For thy supreme dominion we adore Thy power, thy glory is for evermore. Amen  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 47v 
Five hundred pounds! - too small a boon To put the poet's muse in tune  Ramsay, Allan  On the Duchess of Marlborough's offer of ยท500 for 6 lines upon the Duke  Of the illustrious Churchill's glory It wou'd not buy the paper  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 32v 
Gentle reader see in me An emblem of true charity  Warton, Thomas, the younger; or Bacon, Dr (?)  On a fountain in a marble bason which runs under ground to a pond in a gentlemans garden, at Mr Dummers in Hampshire it serv'd the family with water.  Repaid by fresh supplies from Heav'n For every cup of water given  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 97r 
Go little hasty written scrip With equal haste to Weston trip  Beaver, Herbert  Mr Herbert Beaver's (late University Beadle) Address to Mr Thompson  Haste then my friend, and take this hint for true I'm quite incog to all the world but you  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 78v-79r 
Good wives to snails shoud be akin Always their houses keep within  Anonymous  A witty definition of a good wife: 'A good wife shoud be like three things which 3 things she shoud not be like.'  But not like city-clocks aloud "Be heard by all the vulgar croud"  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 86r 
Have you seen my dear cousin the paper tonight There's a paragraph in it that's brimfull of spite  Anonymous  A letter from Miss -- to Miss -- Dec 8th 1777  My next may afford you some excellent fun And you shall hear from me as sure as a gun  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 88r-89r 
Here day and night conspire a cunning flight For day, they say, is run away by night  Anonymous  On Mr Abraham Day's breaking, who liv'd at the sign of the Horse-Shoe and ran away by night on Thursday June 17 1714  Then for your rest, never torment your soul You'll quickly see Day thro' a little hole  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 103v-104r 
Here lies poor Johnson: reader have a care Tread lightly, lest you rouse a sleeping bear;  Jenyns, Soame  On Dr Johnson. Said to be written by Soame Jenyns, Esqre  Boswell and Thrale, retailers of his wit Will tell you how he wrote, and talked, and cough'd, and spit  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 59r 
Here lies the body of honest Tom Page Who died in the 33rd year of his age  Anonymous  Norwich Cathedral    U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 46v 
Here lies the quintessence of noise and strife Or in one word, here lies a scolding wife  Anonymous  On a scolding wife who died in her sleep  Had not death took her when her mouth was shut He durst not for his ears have touch'd the slut  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 32v 
Here lies within this tomb so calm Old Giles: pray sound his knell  Anonymous  On the Clerk of the same  Who thought no song was like a psalm No music like a bell  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 53v 
Hey my kitten, my kitten And oh my kitten, my deary  Swift, Jonathan (?)  The Nurses Delight  Piddle, come piddle my jewel And kack, kack, kack my deary  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 45v-46r 
How hard a young maiden can't write to her friend But she makes herself enemies world without end  Anonymous  Letter 10 Jan 1778 In answer to the foregoing  Your spleen, rage and malice so spitefully vent Yet I don't Mr Poet wish you impotent  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 95v-96r 
How idle are mortals! (said Wisdom to Youth) They slight the clear dictates of reason and truth  Hayley, William  Content  Some mortals in vain for admission must pray But all who once enter go smiling away  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 120v-122r 
I am a poor workman, as rich as a Jew A strange sort of Tale, but however tis true  Byrom, John  Contentment or the happy Workman's Song  And I'm sure I can never do better than he Which nobody can deny  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 79v-80v 
I hold for faith What Rome's Church saith / What England's church allows  Anonymous  The Jesuits double-faced creed  Who their com'union flies Is catholic and wise  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 49v 
I write again cousin because you desire it And nonsense I'll scribble when 'ere you require it  Anonymous  Letter 2nd  You've a faithfull account of us gentlefolks small So farewell dear cousin till after next ball  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 89v-90r 
I'm neither maim'd, nor bobb'd nor bare Yet have nor shoulder, tail nor hair  Beaver, Mr  AEnigma  But when abroad (sometimes) I go And live in town, 'tis near Soho  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 38r 
If e'er on earth true happiness were found 'Twas thine, blest shade! that happiness to prove  Mason, William  On Mrs Tatton. In the Churchyard of Withenshaw in Cheshire.  Here, reader, pause - and own with pitying eye That 'not on earth true happiness is found'  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 105r 
If I live to be old for I find I go down Let this be my fate. In a country town  Pope, Walter  The Wish  And grow wiser and better as my strength wears away Without gout or stone, by a gentle decay  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 1r-7r (recto only) 
If I live to be old, which I never will own Let this be my fortune in country or town  Anonymous  Another [i.e. Old Woman's Wish]  Till with mumping and grunting her breath wore away Without ach or cough by a tedious delay  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 9r-10r (recto only) 
If on my theme I rightly think There are five reasons why men drink  Anonymous  Translation  Or lest we shou'd be bye and bye Or any other reason why  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 100r 
In rural innocence secure I dwell Alike to fortune and to fame unknown  Anonymous  The Letter  Content with calm domestic life, where meet The smiles of friendship & the sweets of love  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 64r 
Indians believe, that wheresoe'er they roam The slain in war return to native home  Anonymous  Epigram  Did every nation in this creed unite Not British gold could make a Scotchman fight  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 130r 
Isn't Molly Fowl immortal? No - You lye, she is; I'll prove her so -  Anonymous    She's fifteen now, and was I know Fifteen, full fifteen years ago  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 125r 
Ladies and gentlemen, my lord of flame Has sent me here to thank you in his name  Bryrom, John  Epilogue to Hurlothrumbo (A play written by Mr Johnson). By the late Dr Byrom  That's if the ladies condescend to smile Their looks make sense, or nonsense, in our isle  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 44r-45r 
Let us laugh and be merry, joke, sing and rejoice With claret, canary, theorbo and voice  Anonymous    Let us love the fair Damsels that we may from thence Get heirs to succeed us an 100 years hence  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 81r-81v 
Lo! the rich casket's mimic dome Whose cells in artful rows  Graves, Richard  The Cabinet, to Mr Walker of Whitchurch in Oxfordshire  Where Avon winds to mix his floods With Bladuds healing streams  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 31r-32v 
My time thus in scribbling I sadly misspend But who can refuse an affectionate friend?  Anonymous  Letter 3rd, Jan 1st 1778  Yet when you request it I'll send you a column And pray put them by - for they'll soon make a volume  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 90v-91v 
Of Leinster fam'd for ladies fair Bright Lucy was the grace  Tickell, Thomas  Lucy and Colin  Remember Colins dreadfull fate And fear to meet him there  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 16r-18r (recto only) 
Oft I've implor'd the Gods in vain And pray'd till I've been weary  Greville, Fanny  Sept 19th 1764. An Ode to Indifference  Half pleas'd, contented will I be Content - but half to please  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 72r-73v 
One God there is__him only shalt thou fear Nor make to sculptur'd idols fruitless prayr  Dodd, Mr.  The Commandments  False witness bear not, and thy oath revere Nor madly covet what's thy neighbours share  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 47v 
Oxford of blooming nymphs the sweet retreat The boast of nature and arts fav'rite seat  Wall, M.  Verses sent by a friend to Mr S Wood, conductor of the ball at the Council Chamber Dec 30 1777, Addressed to the person who has propagated so much scandal  Unheard, unnotic'd this rash strain prolong His rage unheeded, impotent his tongue  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 94v-95r 
Peace gentle eremite, thy ways attend Each morning as with solemn steps and slow  Thorpe, J. H.  These lines were written in aunswer to some verses hung up at Bath, call'd the Hermitts address to youth complaining of the vanity of a search after happiness. The Aunswyr.  And evyr in thye pathe, our hertes to blesse That perle of lyfe is founde yclep'd trewe happynesse  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 47v 
Prepare my soul in tuneful lays Th'almighty God of Heav'n to praise  Anonymous  The 104th Psalm paraphrased  And blast the wretch that does presume To mock his sacred name  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 33r-35r 
Say Guardian Angels did ye e'er convey A brighter spirit to eternal day  Markham, Dr  In memory of Jane Daughter of Mr John Norbury Aged 18. At Vale-royal written by Dr Markham - W. Chapel  Is but transplanted to an happier Clime To bloom and triumph o'er the wrecks of time  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 66r 
See this little mistress here Did never sit in Peters chair  Anonymous  Verses presented to King James the 1st by a babe, a descendant of Sir Thomas Pope, founder of Trinity College, Oxford.  A female Pope youl' say, a second Joan No sure she is Pope Innocent or none  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 128r 
Stay, reader, stay: and drop a friendly tear Twas not old age, nor sickness brought me here  Anonymous  An inscription on a tomb-stone in the churchyard of Albury in Oxfordshire  One sad unlucky moment check'd my pride Yet think me blest, altho' by Chance I died  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 116v 
Take, holy Earth! all that my soul holds dear Take that best gift which Heav'n so lately gave  Mason, William  Epitaph on Mrs Mason at Bristol  Heav'n lifts its everlasting portals high And bids "the pure in heart" behold their GOD  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 96v-97r 
Tale__that will raise the question, I suppose What can the meaning be of three black crows?  Byrom, John  Verses spoken at the breaking up of the Free Grammar School in Manchester, on Thursday Dec the 14th 1758. The Three Black Crows. A Tale  I did throw up, and told my neighbour so Something that was - as black, Sir, as a crow  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 36r-37r 
The bell now tolls the hour of closing gates With jarring sound the porter turns the key  Warton, Thomas ?  A Parody on Gray's Elegy  Yet, ever mindful of the place he lov'd Read, here, the letter which he lately sent!  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 61r-63v 
The bubbling stream not uninstructive flows Nor idly loiters to its destined main;  Anonymous  Under an Hour-Glass in a Grotto near the Water  For lo! each telling sand his folly chides Who lets one precious moment run to waste  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 104v 
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea  Gray, Thomas  An Elegy written in a Country Church Yard  (There they alike in trembling hope repose) The bosom of his father and his God  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 20r-23r 
The midnight clock has toll'd, and hark, the bell Of death beats slow; heard ye the note profound?  Mason, William  On Lady Coventry  Make then, while yet ye may, your God your friend And learn with equal ease to sleep or die!  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 128v-130r 
Tis fit that English readers shoud be told In their own language what this tombe does hold  Anonymous    That tis no wonder Death our hopes beguil'd Hee's seldom old, that will not be a childe  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 70r 
Tis hope that keeps our love alive Zeal, by reward, is made to thrive  Anonymous  A Refreshment after the Fatigues of War, or the Hero's Philosophy.  Thy passion, love, like all the others A nothing lights, a nothing smothers  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 86v-87v 
Tis May's meridian reign; yet Eurus cold Forbids each shrinking thorn its leaves unfold  Mason, William  Ode to the Honourable William Pitt [followed by Greek epigraph from Pindar]  That hang upon the smile of kings Be thine the muse's wreath; be thou the people's friend  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 113r-116r 
Tis the voice of the sluggard, I heard him complain You have wak'd me too soon I must slumber again  Anonymous  The Sluggard. A Moral Hymn  But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding Who taught me betimes to love working and reading  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 48v 
To thee, my God, tho' late at last I turn Not for my sufferings, but my sins I mourn  Hopkins, Charles  An Hymn, by Mr Charles Hopkins, About an hour before his death when in great pain  Deliver us amidst the life to come In the last hour and at the day of doom  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 131v-132r 
Twas winter's iron age And sage Hippotades had op'd amain  Bagot, Lewis  Danae's Lamentation  These hapless eyelids close For ever doom'd to weep  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 71v-72r 
Underneath this turf doth lie Back to back my wife and I  Anonymous    When the archangels trump shall blow If she gets up, I'll stay below  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 117r 
Well, dear Mr Wright, I must send you a line; The purchase is made, Father Malebranche is mine  Byrom, John  Dr Byrom, on buying the picture of F. Malebranche, to Henry Wright of Mobberley Esqr  Such friends and such freedom! what can be more clever? Huzza! Father Malebranche and short-hand for ever  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 122v-124v 
When all was wrapp'd in dark midnight And all were fast a-sleep  Anonymous  William and Margaret  Then laid his cheek to the cold earth And word spake never more  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 13r-15r (recto only) 
When earth yawn'd wide to swallow ancient Rome Curtius leap'd in and clos'd the threatened tomb;  Anonymous  On Curtius and Felton  While the brave Briton dar'd, with equal flame A martyr's sufferings and a martyr's shame  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 99v 
When my hairs they grow hoary, and my cheeks they look pale When my forehead hath wrinkles and my eye-sight doth fail  Anonymous  The Old Woman's Wish  Tho her life was a vapour, that vanish'd away She liv'd well and happy untill the last day  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 8r-9r (recto only) 
When on thy bosom I recline Enraptur'd still to call thee mine  Anonymous  By a Husband; but not a modern one  Bound up in closest amity 'Tis death to be disjoin'd  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 130v-131r 
When Vere sought death, arm'd with his sword and shield Death was afraid to meet him in the field  Anonymous  Epitaph on Sir Francis Vere  But when his weapons he had laid aside Death like a coward struck him, and he died  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 27r 
Where wealth enthron'd in Nature's pride With taste and bounty by her side  Frampton, Dr.  On Stourton Gardens  And proud her mandates to obey With her you share the praise  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 125v-126r 
Who many a sturdy oak has laid along Fell'd by death's surer hatchet, here lies Spong  Hollies, Mr (?)  Inscription on a tomb-stone in the Churchyard of Ockham, Surry. John Spong died Nov, 17 1736  So here he rests from all life's toils and follies Oh! spare, kind heaven, his fellow lab'rer Hollies  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 70v 
With songs of praise to wake the village round For light restor'd is heard my sober sound  Anonymous  Inscriptions on three Bells cast by Harrison and Parks for a Church in Derbyshire. 1st Bell  To speak a parting soul is given to me Be trimm'd thy lamp as if it toll'd for thee  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 74r 
Ye works of God, on him alone The earth his footstool, heav'n his throne  James Merrick  Benedicite or The Song of the three Children paraphrased  Rise, and our maker's love proclaim In hymns of endless praise  U. Leeds, Brotherton  Lt 99  f. 27v-31r