First Line Index

First Line Author Title Last Line Library Shelfmark Folio

`Some certain good from every evil springs:' Seward, Anna, 1742_1809 `To Mrs. Heywood of Liverpool, on her conjugal virtues' May love inspire, and rapture be their source! Yale c.391 p. 105

`Thee, Mary, with this ring I wed'__ *Bishop, Samuel, 1732_1795; Burke, Edmund `Verses sent by a gentleman to his lady, with a ring, by the author of those with a knife' And teach me all things__but repentance! Yale c.391

'Tis past! Ah, calm thy cares to rest `The following lines supposed to have been addressed by an African Negro (condemned to be burnt for attempting to regain his freedom) to his wife while he was fastened to the stake and ready for execution' And freedom to the slave. Yale c.391

'Twas on the twentieth of September `Elegy of an honest country woman, on her husband who was killed by the wheels of a cart' Along with her good man. Yale c.391 p. 44

A simile oft I've endeavored to find `Burke' But a flash of true lightning gets once in an age. Yale c.391 p. 68

A thought has just struck me, my dearest A. D., Dickinson, Frederick `Letter from...to A[nn] D[ickinson]' Take this for want of a better. Yale c.391

A valentine, from some fair hand it came Must know that epithet belongs to matchless Ann. Yale c.391

Accept, dear Ann, this box of scent, Their merits as you find their excellence. Yale c.391

Ah! hapless babe, the parent cries, Worseley, [ ] `Epitaph on a child of four years old' Great God thy will be done. Yale c.391

Altho' soft sleep death's fell resemblance bears Thus without life to live, thus without death to die. Yale c.391 p. 77

An old song made by an aged old pate, And old liquor enough to make a cat speak, and a man dumb. | Like an old courtier, &c. Yale c.391

And durst thou, then insulting youth, demand `Eliza in answer to ____' And makes ev'n nature's dreary prospects shine. Yale c.391 p. 14

As Britain mourned with a mother's pain H., W. Envying the dead, who are so sweetly sung. Yale c.391 p. 87

As Quin and Foote Your debts you pay, | One shilling in the pound. Yale c.391 p. 100

Awake my muse and hail this blissful day Dickinson, J. B. `To M[artha] D[ickinson] 4. March 1788' A stronger cement of their mutual love. Yale c.391

Be still, ye throbs that agitate my breast *Dickinson, Frederick; Milner, Frances `By the same in answer' [to `Haste, my lov'd Frances...'] Unfeigned happiness to taste with you. Yale c.391 p. 37

Blest is the man, supremely blest indeed! `Friendship' Thou universal friend, to humankind. Yale c.391 p. 6

But now alas! far other views disclose Lowth, Robert, 1710_1787 `On the death of Christ' And the rent rock unbraids, man's stubborn heart. Yale c.391

By magic art I can discover, Frederick is nam'd your favorite lover. Yale c.391

By the use of my first is the difference shown Dickinson, J. B. `Charade' Each love and each grace are Dian's own. Yale c.391

Can man sustain a greater curse M., J. `On an empty purse' And not enjoy the power to taste. Yale c.391 p. 12

Cease lovely mourner, if thou canst, to weep, Dickinson, Frederick `Verses by...written immediately upon his hearing of the sudden death of Mr B. supposed to be written to his wife' Whatever is, is right. Yale c.391 p. 38

Could we with ink the ocean fill, `Lines, said to be written by an idiot' Tho' stretched from sky to sky. Yale c.391

Cupid and my Campaspe play'd, Lyly, John, 1554?_1606 [song in Alexander and Campaspe] What shall alas! become of me? Yale c.391 p. 78

Dear Chloe, while the busy crowd, Cotton, Nathaniel, 1705_1788 `The fireside' And smooth the bed of death. Yale c.391 p. 17

Dear Peggy, since the single state `Advice to a young lady lately married' And blushing, throw the pen aside. Yale c.391 p. 49

Death, look it in his empty skull `On the death of Miss E[liza] Parker at Farnham Jan. 16. 1793' Sharp in the bosom of her friends. Yale c.391 p. 117

Dishevell'd still like Asia's bleeding queen, Sheridan, Richard Brinsley Butler, 1751_1816 `Epilogue to the tragedy of Semiramis. Written by...spoken by Mrs. Yates' And pity__greet her__with a sister's love. Yale c.391

Down to the vale of life I tend, `An old bachelor's reflections on matrimony' And make them happy in this state. Yale c.391 p. 21

Each grace of life retired.__these shine alone, The favor'd few that share the sacred hour. Yale c.391 p. 72

Envy by self oppressed, one day to Love thus taunting said Dickinson, J. B. `Acrostic' [Eleanor Byde] Envy turned pale, and shrunk behind as they approach'd Ware Park. Yale c.391

Exhausted by her painful throes Ekins, Jeffrey, d. 1791 `Verses by...made on his wife as he sat by her sleeping just after her delivery of a daughter' Those virtues I adore in thee. Yale c.391 p. 25

Fairest flower, all flowers excelling `To a child of five years old' Evergreens, that ne'er decay. Yale c.391 p. 20

Father of all! In ev'ry age, Pope, Alexander, 1688_1744 `The universal prayer' All nature's incense rise! Yale c.391

Fie Bobby fie__your spiteful verse decline Truth, Rebecca, pseud. `To Mr. Say Grace' To heaven and the offender of the beauteous race. Yale c.391

From the white-blossom'd sloe my dear Chloe requested Burns, Robert, 1759_1796 `The thorn' I plant in that bosom a thorn. Yale c.391

Full many dear girl of these days may you see, Dickinson, J. B. `April 4__[17]91 to A[nn] Dickinson' And your friendship for me, with your life only end. Yale c.391 p. 118, p. ?

Genius of Blodud's healthful spring! `Verses presented to the Duke of Northumberland on his arrival at Bath for the recovery of his health' And long preserve his valued life to bless mankind. Yale c.391 p. 40

Gladly the call of friendship I obey, `A nuptial verse sent to a young couple on their wedding day' Not only both must love, but both obey. Yale c.391 p. 39

Had not your gentle heart a cause to mourn `On a beautiful woman dressed in black' All are but shadows borrow'd from the sun. Yale c.391 p. 53

Hail, beauteous stranger of the wood, `Ode: to the cuckoo' Companions of the spring. Yale c.391

Hail to the day that gave Maria birth, Dickinson, Frederick, sr. `To Maria Stow__on 11th Septr. 1797' May He, who made her, seat her with the blest. Yale c.391 inserted at front

Haste, my lov'd Frances, to an anxious friend Dickinson, Frederick `Verses written by...supposed to [his sister's] friend [Frances] Milner' And let these arms embrace my dearest friend. Yale c.391 p. 36

Health to my sister, to my brother health! `Kensington, Aug. 30, 1788' [Frederick Dickinson to Martha Dickinson] Their welcomes loud and wishes high as mine. Yale c.391

Hence stoic apathy! To breasts of stone, Mason, William, 1725_1797 `On the death of Miss Drummond daughter to the Archb[isho]p of York' The Christian yields an angel to his God. Yale c.391 p. 24; see also `Here sleeps what onceà'.

Her wit, her sense, her virtues were her own; When those who now lament her are no more. Yale c.391 p. 62; see also `Here shall our ling'ring footstepsà'.

Here lies a man as God shall me save, `The following lines were written on a man of Coleshill Warwickshire who was remarkable for having the largest mouth in the parish, and actually engraved on his tombstone' For if he gapes__y'are gone by G[o]d. Yale c.391

Here shall our ling'ring footsteps oft be found, Whitehead, William, 1715_1785 `In Lord Harcourt's gardens Newenham S. N. of Frances Vis[countes]s Palmerston' When those who now lament her are no more. Yale c.391 p. 26; see also `Her wit, her senseà'.

His being was for her alone Sidney, Sir Philip, 1554_1586 `Epitaph from Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia on Pamedorus and Musimela' That tombs the two is justly one. Yale c.391 p. 29

How could you__M__let my muse descend Trim, Marjorie, pseud. `To the Revd. Defamer' Which thou alas! know naught of, but the name. Yale c.391

How shall I paint the miseries I feel `An epistle from Eliza to Henry, on the tomb of her sister Constantia, who died of grief on perceiving an improper intimacy between Henry her husband, and Eliza' The poignard strikes me, and the harlot dies. Yale c.391 p. 30

I am monarch of all I survey, Cowper, William, 1731_1800 `Verses written by Alexander Selkirk in the year 1707 when on the island of Juan Fernandez' And reconciles man to his lot. Yale c.391 p. 79

I from the earth my being boast `Riddle...a leek' Inspired by flowing bowls. Yale c.391

I hear my friend is gone to college Sillon, Joseph `An acrostic upon my brother Jack [John Sillion]'s going to college' No one can then his conduct blame. Yale c.391

I pluck'd the sweet rose when just wash'd by a show'r, `The shaken rose' May be follow'd perhaps with a smile. Yale c.391 p. 74; see also `The rose had been wash'dà'.

I sing the boy who gagg'd and bound `On a dumb boy very beautiful, and of great quickness of parts' And cork'd thee but to make thee quicker. Yale c.391 p. 101

I tell with equal truth and grief, `The fair thief' And let her prison be my arms. Yale c.391 p. 82

I'll form a wreath of artless verse, Roberts, Martha `Epitaph on Duchess a favorite dog who died Oct. 13 1794' For 'neath this turf she rests in peace. Yale c.391 p. 113

I'm seen in the fire, but not in the flame `Riddle...the letter R' I'm seen in the cream, but not in the milk. Yale c.391

I've strove long time but strove in vain, Dickinson, M. `From a simple poet on a watch. From...to A[nn] Dickinson' Grateful to live, prepared to die. Yale c.391

If thou would have the nuptial union last Let virtue be the bond that ties it fast. Yale c.391

In a moldering cave, where the wretched retreat `On the death of General Wolfe, said to [be] written by General Washington' Should induce him again to return. Yale c.391 p. 91

In Celia's face a question did arise `Lips and eyes a tale' Weeping, or smiling pearls, in Celia's face. Yale c.391 p. 110

In twice twelve years, this honest horse a steady course maintained; Dickinson, J. B. `Epitaph on [his horse] Dismal who died Dec. 11 1792' A shrew's a fiend, that's conjured up, to double all his woes. Yale c.391 p. 111, p. ?

It oft has been agreed, you know, `Written by a gentleman to his wife on the tenth anniversary of their marriage' Where death no more shall intervene. Yale c.391 p. 103

Let not thine eyes the sweets of slumber taste `Pythagoras's golden verses' The way will lead you to a life divine. Yale c.391

Like a flourishing young gallant, newly come to his land But in the ensuing ditty you shall hear how he was inclin'd. | Like a young courtier of the king's | And the king's young courtier. Yale c.391

Lock'd in the arms of balmy sleep, `Verses written by a gentleman on being awakened in the night by a violent storm of thunder and lightning' Shrinks in new [?] dead. Yale c.391 p. 27 (incomplete?)

Long has the bard hung up his broken lyre, `Qui capit ille facit, anglice 30 August 1785' By heaven-endow'd to cheer your happiest hour. Yale c.391

Long has the bard hung up his broken lyre Dickinson, Frederick `30th Aug. [17]85 by my dear F. D.' By heaven ordained, to cheer your happiest hour. Yale c.391 p. 66

Long may the well-concerted union last J., E. `E. J. priest to M[artha?] Dickinson' A virtuous race may still adorn mankind. Yale c.391

Lovely courier of the sky, Johnson, Samuel, 1709_1784 [Anacreon ode ix] Tell me, tell me, gentle dove. Yale c.391 p. 110

Mark'd you her eyes of heavenly blue, *Stockdale, Percival, 1736_1811; Cowper, William And makes the world the wilderness it is. Yale c.391 p. 106

May your care ye sweet Floras be amply repaid, Dickinson, J. B. `To his nieces A. and M. R. with paling for their garden 1713' They'll shoot out again, and bloom fresh in the skies. Yale c.391 p. 94, p. ?

Mrs. Montagu's told me, and in her own house, Fox, Charles James, 1749_1806 For women will talk of what runs in their head. Yale c.391 p. 120

My Martha views with partial eyes, an action of my youth Dickinson, J. B. `In return for the above [`That speech was worth all wealth...'] wrote the following lines to Martha Roberts' And, at the thrones, where 'twas received, my pleasing task resign. Yale c.391 p. 95, p. ?

My whole, by one mistake my first here brought, Dickinson, Jonathan `Charade' His joy by day, his solace in the night. Yale c.391

Nash had a head, and in that head `Mr. Derrick when he succeeded Mr. Nash, as Master of the ceremonies at Bath, put on a white hat which was the occasion of the following lines' Derrick hath none at all. Yale c.391 p. 13

Of all the fools that pride can boast, Gay, John, 1685_1732 And vanity besots 'em all. Yale c.391

Offspring of nature yet the child of art `A picture' [riddle] And grow too young__by living to be old. Yale c.391

O God of grace, and God of truth, Green, T. `The prayer of a dying youth...the foregoing prayer was made by...in the year 1766' A separation more. Yale c.391

Oyez, my good people, draw near; `The hue and cry by the village curate' From the charms you bring me, a kiss. Yale c.391 p. 109

Poor Lofty's gone no more at Nimney Bourne nor Culverside you'll find him, Dickinson, J. B. `Epitaph on [his horse] Lofty' May I as placid view my friends as calmly seek the tomb. Yale c.391 p. 112

Quickly run, boy, bring the wine, `Anacreontic' Till the winter's rage is o'er? Yale c.391

Reader beneath this marble lies `Monumental inscription on a beautiful child' And thou shalt see this flower in heaven. Yale c.391 p. 29

Reader forbear nor seek to know And very dust has pow'r to charm. Yale c.391 p. 107

Say, will Maria much lov'd fair, excuse `To Miss ____' A kind acceptance from Maria's hands. Yale c.391 p. 4

Says Celia, to a reverend Dean, They cannot find a priest. Yale c.391 p. 86

See pale submissive Cowley bend, Dickinson, M. `Verses written by...on the King's illness' And hope her sovereign long to know. Yale c.391

Since to the will of all-disposing heaven, Conway, Gen. [ ] `Elegy on the death of Miss Caroline Campbell, daughter of the right hon. Lord William Campbell' Yale c.391 p. 84

So shall the chequer'd scenes of life delight As morning bright appears proceeded still by night. Yale c.391

Stop gardener here, nor dig too deep, Dickinson, Martha `On a favorite horse and dog buried under a cypress in our garden' For thee no brighter joys, no heav'nly crown. Yale c.391

Sweet sister of the tuneful nine, Hayley, William, 1745_1820 [to Anna Seward] You wish me what I am. Yale c.391 p. 88

Take Devon's polish'd brows and auburn hair `Receipt to make a perfect beauty 1783' O steal the rose from beauteous Aylesford's cheek. Yale c.391 p. 64

Take of beauty and wit what you happen to have, `A receipt for the ladies to preserve love in the marriage state' Candied o'er with good sense and I warrant 'twill last. Yale c.391 p. 48

Tell me, ye sons of Phoebus, what is this Lyttelton, George Lyttelton, 1st baron, 1709_1795 `On good humor' For none can envy him whom all must love. Yale c.391 p. 3

That speech was worth all wealth below, Roberts, Martha [on her uncle J. Baron Dickinson drinking his father's health after having his hair pulled] Upon that heaven most high. Yale c.391 p. 95

The air of truth we often find `A declaration of love to a lady of the house of Bradenburg__by Voltaire' Make glorious all his own. Yale c.391 p. 119

The counsels of a friend, Belinda, hear, *N___ , [ ] (attr.)? or Lyttelton, George Lyttelton, 1st baron? `Advice to a lady. By the honorable...' The rules of pleasing, which to you I give. Yale c.391

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, Gray, Thomas, 1716_1771 `An elegy [written in a country churchyard]' The bosom of his father and his God. Yale c.391

The French have taste in all they do Has only given us gout. Yale c.391 p. 83

The gifts indulgent, heav'n bestows, `To a friend in affliction' Tomorrow may be fair. Yale c.391 p. 53

The groans of learning tell that Johnson dies, Seward, Anna, 1742_1809 `Epitaph on Dr. Johnson' And though you stain'd his spirit, spare his dust. Yale c.391 p. 119

The riddle of riddles that dances and skips `A heart' [riddle] But if money can buy it, it's not worth a groat. Yale c.391; see also `Pray tell meà'.

The rose had been wash'd, just wash'd, in a show'r, Cowper, William, 1731_1800 [cf. `I pluck'd the sweet rose...'] May be follow'd, perhaps with a smile. Yale c.391 p. 73

The sun sets at night, and the stars shun the day Hunter, Anne (Home), 1742_1821 `By a captive Indian while his conquerors were preparing for his death' And thy son O Allinomook, shall never complain. Yale c.391 p. 70

The virtues and graces once met on this morn Dickinson, J. B. `To M[artha] D[ickinson] 4. March 1791' And bless me with her love three and thirty years hence. Yale c.391

The wanton troopers riding by, `A nymph complaining for the loss of her fawn' White as I can, tho' not as thee. Yale c.391 p. 89

Think me not lost, for thee I heaven implore `Epitaph in Salisbury churchyard' Beyond all youth, all sense, and all desire. Yale c.391 p. 24

Thou must expire my soul, ordain'd to range, `On the departure of a soul' Some strange hereafter or some hidden skies. Yale c.391 p. 34, p. ?

Tho' Bacchus may boast of his care-killing bowl, Morris, Thomas, capt., b. 1732 `Song' That's mellow'd by friendship, and sweeten'd by love. Yale c.391 p. 67

Though beauty may charm the fond heart, with a smile, `Impromptu on Mr. Merry's marriage with Miss Brunton in consequence of her charming performance of Loriana in his tragedy of Lorenzo' Were cherished by genius, and nurs'd with her tears. Yale c.391 p. 108

Tho' low, and humble is my birth `Riddle...a coachman' Before the close of day. Yale c.391

Through freezing days you ask to bless your rooms Seward, Anna, 1742_1809 `Receipt for an essence jar' White in one vase eternal summer dwells. Yale c.391

Thus when the poison'd shafts of death are sped, Jerningham, Edward, 1737?_1812 `Epitaph written by...on a monument erected to the memory of Sir John Elliot physician' On her own wound distills its charm in vain. Yale c.391 p. 72

To look like an angel the ladies believe `On Miss Fury' The blessing is greater to look like a Fury. Yale c.391 p. 43

To you dear girl, and all must grant, `Verses sent by a gentleman to his wife, with a looking glass' Whene'er you please, may see her too. Yale c.391 p. 76

True wit is like the brilliant stone, Newcomb, Thomas `On true wit' And sparkles while it wounds. Yale c.391 p. 47

Urg'd by my hopes, check'd by my fears, `To Mrs. Delaney on her 80 birthday 25 May 1780' Believe me there's enough for two. Yale c.391 p. 69

Welcome, my friends, thrice welcome here this night Dickinson, Frederick `Ware Dec: 27. 1782. written by...on our dance' Have in this temple just alighted. Yale c.391

Well! To our ball come twenty mile! `To the gentlemen of the four in an assembly Waltham Cross[.] A dialogue between the poet and his friend' To greatness, but in vain allied? | Or who evol(?)?__ Yale c.391 after p.120 (incomplete)

When first the Tatler to a mute was turn'd Tate, Nahum, 1652_1715 `On the Spectator' [pr. 1712 (Foxon T60)] 'Tis the same sun that does himself succeed. Yale c.391 p. 46

When hope lay hushed in silent night, `William and Margaret, an ancient ballad' And died and lov'd too late. Yale c.391 p. 96

Where are my votaries? Venus cries, Ives, Miss [ ] `Verses sent to Miss Keeling on Valentine's day by...now Mrs. Drake' To guard his favorite, Keeling. Yale c.391 p. 41, p. ?

Where the loveliest expression to features is join'd, Fox, Charles James, 1749_1806 `Verses written upon Mrs. Crewe' But love, and love only, the heart can inflame. Yale c.391 p. 11

While thee I seek protecting power, `Address to the Deity' That heart will rest on thee. Yale c.391

Why, busy boys, why thus entwine, `Verses written on the tomb of Care, round which some boys were wreathing flowers, in a garden' For Care's disease is pleasure's birth. Yale c.391 p. 3

With charming Cholmondeley well one might `Verses written upon some of the celebrated women who flourished in the year 1780' My heart, my ease, my peace__adieu. Yale c.391 p. 63 ( `Female literati of 1780')

Ye couples, who meet under love's smiling star, Hayley, William, 1745_1820 `A charm for ennui__a ballad' And preserve your chaste flame from the smoke of ennui. Yale c.391 p. 56

Ye little strangers, say ah why, Roberts, Martha `Written in a fall of snow 1790' In crystal drops you'll seem more bright. Yale c.391 p. 115

Ye solemn pedagogues who teach Cumberland, Richard, 1732_1811 `On the marriage of Miss Sackville to Mr. Herbert' And blushing glory in my choice. Yale c.391 p. 54

Union First Line Index of English Verse

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

Union First Line Index of English Verse

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

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