George Crabbe - The Borough

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Habit with him was all the test of truth,
It must be right: I've done it from my youth.

George Crabbe
At certain stations he would view the stream, As if he stood bewildered in a dream, Or that some power had chained him for a time, To feel a curse or meditate on crime.

George Crabbe
To show the world what long experience gains, requires not courage, though it calls for pains; but at life's outset to inform mankind is a bold effort of a valiant mind.

George Crabbe
Involved in sea-wrack, here you find a race, Which science, doubting, knows not where to place; On shell or stone is dropp'd the embryo-seed, And quickly vegetates a vital breed.

George Crabbe
Wine, like the rising sun, possession gains,
And drives the mist of dullness from the brains,
The gloomy vapor from the spirit flies,
And views of gaiety and gladness rise.

George Crabbe
Old Peter Grimes made fishing his employ; His wife he cabined with him and his boy, And seemed that life laborious to enjoy.

George Crabbe
Circles in water as they wider flow
The less conspicuous in their progress grow,
And when at last they trench upon the shore,
Distinction ceases and they're view'd no more.

George Crabbe
Soldiers in arms! Defenders of our soil!
Who from destruction save us; who from spoil
Protect the sons of peace, who traffic or who toil;
Would I could duly praise you, that each deed
Your foe's might honor, and your friends might read.

George Crabbe
Wild were his dreams, and oft he rose in fright, Waked by his view of horrors in the night,— Horrors that would the sternest minds amaze, Horrors that demons might be proud to raise: And though he felt forsaken, grieved at heart, To think he lived from all mankind apart, Yet, if a man approached, in terrors he would start.

George Crabbe
The Town small-talk flows from lip to lip;
Intrigues half-gathered, conversation-scraps,
Kitchen-cabals, and nursery-mishaps.

George Crabbe
There anchoring, Peter chose from man to hide,
There hang his head, and view the lazy tide
In its hot slimy channel slowly glide;
Where the small eels that left the deeper way
For the warm shore, within the shallows play.

George Crabbe
And need and misery, vice and danger bind
In sad alliance each degraded mind.

George Crabbe
Virtues neglected then, adored become,
And graces slighted, blossom on the tomb.

George Crabbe
Books cannot always please, however good;
Minds are not ever craving for their food.

George Crabbe
One was a female, who had grievous ill
Wrought in revenge, and she enjoy'd it still…
Sullen she was, and threatening; in her eye
Glared the stern triumph that she dared to die.

George Crabbe
'What is a church?'—Our honest sexton tells,
''Tis a tall building, with a tower and bells.'

George Crabbe
I hear those voices that will not be drowned calling.

George Crabbe