Mark Akenside

The green retreats
Of Academus.

The green retreats
Of Academus.

At last the Muses rose, . . . And scattered, . . . as they flew,
Their blooming wreaths read more

At last the Muses rose, . . . And scattered, . . . as they flew,
Their blooming wreaths from fair Valclusa's bowers
To Arno's myrtle border.

Seeks painted trifles and fantastic toys, and eagerly pursues imaginary joys.

Seeks painted trifles and fantastic toys, and eagerly pursues imaginary joys.

This was Shakespeare's form; who walked in every path of human life, felt every passion; and to all mankind doth read more

This was Shakespeare's form; who walked in every path of human life, felt every passion; and to all mankind doth now, will ever, that experience yield which his own genius only could acquire.

And the veil, spun from the cobweb fashion of the times, to hid the feeling heart.

And the veil, spun from the cobweb fashion of the times, to hid the feeling heart.