Mark Akenside

This was Shakespeare's form;
Who walked in every path of human life,
Felt every passion; and to 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?

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

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

Away! Away! Tempt me no more insidious love.

Away! Away! Tempt me no more insidious love.

Such and so various are the tastes of men.

Such and so various are the tastes of men.