William Collins Quotes

Love of peace, and lonely musing, In hollow murmurs died away.

With eyes up-raised, as one inspired, Pale Melancholy sate retired, And from her wild sequestered seat,  In notes by distance made more sweet, Poured thro’ the mellow horn her pensive soul.

Though taste, though genius bless To some divine excess, Faints the cold work till thou inspire the whole; What each, what all supply May court, may charm our eye, Thou, only thou can’st raise the meeting soul!

O thou, the friend of man assigned, With balmy hands his wounds to bind, And charm his frantic woe: When first Distress with dagger keen Broke forth to waste his destined scene, His wild unsated foe!

By fairy hands their knell is rung, By forms unseen their dirge is sung.

How sleep the brave, who sink to rest, By all their country’s wishes blest!