The Cambridge Book of Lesser Poets

Front Cover
Sir John Collings Squire
The University Press, 1927 - 470 pages
Excludes all living poets, all "war poets", all who died after the book was begun, is "primarily intended" for "neglected men" ... "the lovely which are not beloved."

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Page 346 - A wet sheet and a flowing sea, A wind that follows fast And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, While like the eagle free Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee. 0 for a soft and gentle wind!
Page 339 - Here in the body pent, Absent from him I roam, Yet nightly pitch my moving tent A day's march nearer home.
Page 308 - Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. No ! Men, high-minded men, With powers as far above dull brutes endued, In forest, brake or den, As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude ; Men who their duties know, But know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain, Prevent the long-aimed blow, And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain, — These constitute a State ; And sovereign law, that State's collected will, • O'er thrones and globes elate Sits empress, crowning good, repressing...
Page 158 - He that is down needs fear no fall, He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall Have God to be his guide.
Page 128 - O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull, Strong without rage, without o'er-flowing full.
Page 384 - This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign, Sails the unshadowed main, — The venturous bark that flings On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings In gulfs enchanted, where the siren sings, And coral reefs lie bare, 'Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair.
Page 213 - Soon as the evening shades prevail, The Moon takes up the wondrous tale; And nightly, to the listening Earth, Repeats the story of her birth : Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets, in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole to pole.
Page 48 - I cannot eat but little meat, My stomach is not good ; But sure I think, that I can drink With him that wears a hood : Though I go bare, take ye no care ; I nothing am a-cold : I stuff my skin so full within Of jolly good ale and old.
Page 402 - UP the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap, And white owl's feather!
Page 237 - Which says, I must not stay ; I see a hand, you cannot see, Which beckons me away. By a false heart, and broken vows, In early youth I die...

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