Development of English Literature and Language (Volume 1-2) - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899. Excerpt: ... 'I did hope to vary My life but with surprises sweet as this,--A dream--but for thy waking--fill'd with bliss. Yet now I feel my spirit Bitterly stirr'd, and--nay, lift up thy brow I It is thine own voice echoing to thee now, And thou didst pray to hear it,--I must unto my work and my stern hours! Take from my room thy harp, and books, and flowers!' The sequel is touching and instructive. A year has elapsed: 'He had won power and held it. He had walk'd Steadily upward in the eye of Fame, And kept his truth unsullied,--but his home Had been invaded by envenom'd tongues; His wife--his spotless wife--had been assail'd By slander, and his child had grown afraid To como to him,--his manner was so stern. He could not speak beside his own hearth freely. His friends were half estranged, and vulgar men Presumed upon their services and grew Familiar with him. He'd small time to sleep, And none to pray; and, with his heart in fetters, He bore harsh insults silently, and bow'd Respectfully to men who knew he loath'd theml And, when his heart was eloquent with truth. And love of country, and an honest zeal Burn'd for expression, he could find no words They would not misinterpret with their lies. What were his many honors to him now? The good half doubted, falsehood was so strong,--His home was hateful with its cautious fears,--His wife lay trembling on his very breast, Frighted with calumny!--And this is Famt!' Earth and sky were perpetual ministers to his imagination; and with some effort, we suspect, did he subdue his fancy to the prosaic spirit of the time. Scepticism, analysis, scientific conquest, realism, may be in the order of growth to better things; but we shall never cease to read with a pleased sadness, as of a beauty irretrievably lost, A Child's First Imp...