Oliver Goldsmith

On the stage he was natural, simple, affecting
'Twas only that when he was off, he was acting.

On the stage he was natural, simple, affecting
'Twas only that when he was off, he was acting.

The dancing pair that simply sought renown,By holding out to tire each other down;The swain mistrustless of his smutted face,While read more

The dancing pair that simply sought renown,By holding out to tire each other down;The swain mistrustless of his smutted face,While secret laughter titter'd round the place;The bashful virgin's side-long looks of love,The matrons glance that would those looks reprove:These were thy charms, sweet village; sports like these,With sweet succession, taught e'en toil to please;These were thy bowers their cheerful influence shed,These were thy charms -- but all these charms are fled. - Deserted Village, The.

The true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them.

The true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them.

The watch-dog's voice that bay'd the whispering wind,
And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind:
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The watch-dog's voice that bay'd the whispering wind,
And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind:
There all in sweet confusion sought the shade,
And fill'd each pause the nightingale had made.

Round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head.

Round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head.