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To the Memory of Mrs. Lefroy who died Dec:r 16 -- my Birthday

15 May 2023

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The day returns again, my natal day;

What mix'd emotions with the Thought arise!

Beloved friend, four years have pass'd away

Since thou wert snatch'd forever from our eyes.--

The day, commemorative of my birth

Bestowing Life and Light and Hope on me,

Brings back the hour which was thy last on Earth.

Oh! bitter pang of torturing Memory!--


Angelic Woman! past my power to praise

In Language meet, thy Talents, Temper, mind.

Thy solid Worth, they captivating Grace!--

Thou friend and ornament of Humankind!--


At Johnson's death by Hamilton t'was said,

'Seek we a substitute--Ah! vain the plan,

No second best remains to Johnson dead--

None can remind us even of the Man.'


So we of thee--unequall'd in thy race

Unequall'd thou, as he the first of Men.

Vainly we search around the vacant place,

We ne'er may look upon thy like again.


Come then fond Fancy, thou indulgent Power,--

--Hope is desponding, chill, severe to thee!--

Bless thou, this little portion of an hour,

Let me behold her as she used to be.


I see her here, with all her smiles benign,

Her looks of eager Love, her accents sweet.

That voice and Countenance almost divine!--

Expression, Harmony, alike complete.--


I listen--'tis not sound alone--'tis sense,

'Tis Genius, Taste and Tenderness of Soul.

'Tis genuine warmth of heart without pretence

And purity of Mind that crowns the whole.


She speaks; 'tis Eloquence--that grace of Tongue

So rare, so lovely!--Never misapplied

By her to palliate Vice, or deck a Wrong,

She speaks and reasons but on Virtue's side.


Her's is the Energy of Soul sincere.

Her Christian Spirit ignorant to feign,

Seeks but to comfort, heal, enlighten, chear,

Confer a pleasure, or prevent a pain.--


Can ought enhance such Goodness?--Yes, to me,

Her partial favour from my earliest years

Consummates all.--Ah! Give me yet to see

Her smile of Love.--the Vision disappears.


'Tis past and gone--We meet no more below.

Short is the Cheat of Fancy o'er the Tomb.

Oh! might I hope to equal Bliss to go!

To meet thee Angel! in thy future home!--


Fain would I feel an union in thy fate,

Fain would I seek to draw an Omen fair

From this connection in our Earthly date.

Indulge the harmless weakness--Reason, spare.--  

13
Articles
Best Poems by Jane Austen
4.0
Works of famous english writer Jane Austen.
1

I've A Pain In My Head

2 May 2023
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'I've a pain in my head' Said the suffering Beckford; To her Doctor so dread. 'Oh! what shall I take for't?' Said this Doctor so dread Whose name it was Newnham. 'For this pain in

2

Ode To Pity

2 May 2023
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Ever musing I delight to tread The Paths of honour and the Myrtle Grove Whilst the pale Moon her beams doth shed On disappointed Love. While Philomel on airy hawthorn Bush Sings sweet a

3

This Little Bag

4 May 2023
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This little bag I hope will prove To be not vainly made For, if you should a needle want It will afford you aid. And as we are about to part T'will serve another end, For when you lo

4

My Dearest Frank, I Wish You Joy

4 May 2023
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My dearest Frank, I wish you joy Of Mary's safety with a Boy, Whose birth has given little pain Compared with that of Mary Jane. May he a growing Blessing prove, And well deserve his Pa

5

Happy the Lab'rer

8 May 2023
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 Happy the lab'rer in his Sunday clothes! In light-drab coat, smart waistcoat, well-darn'd hose, And hat upon his head, to church he goes; As oft, with conscious pride, he downward throws

6

Miss Lloyd has now went to Miss Green

8 May 2023
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 Miss Lloyd has now sent to Miss Green, As, on opening the box, may be seen, Some years of a Black Ploughman's Gauze, To be made up directly, because Miss Lloyd must in mourning appear

7

Mock Panegyric on a Young Friend

9 May 2023
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 In measured verse I'll now rehearse The charms of lovely Anna: And, first, her mind is unconfined Like any vast savannah. Ontario's lake may fitly speak Her fancy's ample bound: I

8

Of A Ministry Pitiful, Angry, Mean

9 May 2023
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Of a Ministry pitiful, angry, mean, A gallant commander the victim is seen. For promptitude, vigour, success, does he stand Condemn'd to receive a severe reprimand! To his foes I could wis

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To the Memory of Mrs. Lefroy who died Dec:r 16 -- my Birthday

15 May 2023
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The day returns again, my natal day; What mix'd emotions with the Thought arise! Beloved friend, four years have pass'd away Since thou wert snatch'd forever from our eyes.-- The day, comm

10

Oh! Mr Best You're Very Bad

15 May 2023
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Oh! Mr. Best, you're very bad And all the world shall know it; Your base behaviour shall be sung By me, a tunefull Poet.-- You used to go to Harrowgate Each summer as it came, And wh

11

See they come, post haste from Thanet

15 May 2023
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See they come, post haste from Thanet, Lovely couple, side by side; They've left behind them Richard Kennet With the Parents of the Bride! Canterbury they have passed through; Next succ

12

When Stretch'd on One's Bed

16 May 2023
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When stretch'd on one's bed With a fierce-throbbing head, Which precludes alike thought or repose, How little one cares For the grandest affairs That may busy the world as it goes!

13

When Winchester races

16 May 2023
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When Winchester races first took their beginning It is said the good people forgot their old Saint Not applying at all for the leave of Saint Swithin And that William of Wykeham's approval wa

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