The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume I.Cibber, Theophilus
General
The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume I.
Cibber, Theophilus
Poets, English -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Poets, Irish -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
Pearch thou my spirit on her silver breasts,
And with their pains redoubled musick beatings,
Let them toss thee to world where all toil rests,
Where bliss is subject to no fears defeatings,
Her praise I tune, whose tongue doth tune
the spheres,
And gets new muses in her hearers ears.
Stars fall to fetch fresh light from the rich eyes,
Her bright brow drives the fun to clouds beneath.
Her hair reflex with red strakes paints the skyes,
Sweet morn and evening dew flows from her
breath:
Phoebe rules tides, she my tears tides forth
draws.
In her sick bed love fits, and maketh laws.
Her dainty lips tinsel her silk-soft sheets,
Her rose-crown'd cheeks eclipse my dazled sight.
O glass with too much joy, my thoughts thou
greets,
And yet thou shewest me day but by twilight.
I'll kiss thee for the kindness I have felt.
Her lips one kiss would into nectar melt.
From the emperor's court he went to the city of Florence, the pride
and glory of Italy, in which city his beauteous Geraldine was born,
and he had no rest till he found out the house of her nativity,
and being shewn the room where his charmer first drew air, he was
transported with extasy of joy, his tongue overflowed with her
praises, and Winstanly says he eclipsed the sun and moon with
comparisons of his Geraldine, and wrote another sonnet in praise
of the chamber that was honoured (as he says) with her radiant
conception; this sonnet is equally amorous and spirited with that
already inserted. In the duke of Florence's court he published a proud
challenge against all comers, whether Christians, Turks, Canibals,
Jews, or Saracens, in defence of his mistress's beauty; this challenge
was the better received there, as she whom he defended was born in
that city: The duke of Florence however sent for him, and enquired of
his fortune, and the intent of his coming to his court; of which when
the earl informed him, he granted to all countries whatever, as well
enemies and outlaws, as friends and allies, free access into his
dominions unmolested till the trial were ended.
In the course of his combats for his mistress, his valour and skill
in arms so engaged the Duke to his interest, that he offered him the
highest preferments if he would remain at his court. This proposal
he rejected, as he intended to proceed thro' all the chief cities in
Italy; but his design was frustrated by letters sent by King Henry
VIII. which commanded his speedy return into England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account