Sir Walter Raleigh

VERSE I

A prosperous port contiguous to the strand,A monarch feasted in right royal state;But care still dogs the pleasures of the Great,And well his faithful servants could surmiseFrom his distracted looks and broken sighsThat though the purple bowl was circling free,His mind was prey to black perplexity.At last, while others thoughtless joys invoke,Fierce from his breast…

Rise, O my soul, with thy desires to heaven,

Thy time, where time’s eternity is given ;And let vain thoughts no more thy thoughts abuse,But down in midnight darkness let them lie ;So live thy better, let thy worst thoughts die.And thou, my soul, inspired with holy flame,View and review, with most regardful eie,That holy crosse whence thy salvation came,On which thy Saviour and…

If all the world and love were young,

These pretty pleasures might me move,To live with thee, and be thy love.Time drives the flocks from field to fold,When Rivers rage and Rocks grow cold,And Philomel becometh dumb,The rest complains of cares to come.The flowers do fade, and wanton fields,To wayward winter reckoning yields,A honey tongue, a heart of gall,Is fancy’s spring, but sorrow’s…

IF all the world and love were young,

These pretty pleasures might me moveTo live with thee and be thy Love.But Time drives flocks from field to fold;When rivers rage and rocks grow cold;And Philomel becometh dumb;The rest complains of cares to come.The flowers do fade, and wanton fieldsTo wayward Winter reckoning yields:A honey tongue, a heart of gall,Is fancy’s spring, but sorrow’s…

SWEET were the joys that both might like and last;

Happy the life that no mishap should taste;Blessed the chance might never change success.Were such a life to lead or state to prove,Who would not wish that such a life were love?But oh! the soury sauce of sweet unsure,When pleasures flit, and fly with waste of wind.The trustless trains that hoping hearts allure,When sweet delights…

Our great work, the Otia Merseiana,

And supported by Professor Woodward,Is financed by numerous Bogus MeetingsHastily convened by Kuno MeyerTo impose upon the Man of Business.All in vain! The accomplished Man of BusinessDisapproves of Otia Merseiana,Turns his back on Doctor Kuno Meyer;Cannot be enticed by Mister Sampson,To be present at the Bogus Meetings,Though attended by Professor Woodward.Little cares the staid Professor…