William Lisle Bowles

thumb|William Lisle Bowles William Lisle Bowles (September 24, 1762 – April 7, 1850) was an English poet and critic. Quotes Poetic trifles from solitary rambles whilst chewing the cud of sweet and bitter fancy..now written from memory, confined to fourteen lines, this seemed best adapted to the unity of sentiment, the verse flowed in unpremeditated harmony as my ear directed but are far from being mere elegiac couplets. Preface to Poetical Works, ed. George Gilfillan, vol. 1 (Edinburgh: Ballantyne & Co, 1855) Back o'er the deep I turn my longing eyes,And chide the wayward passions that rebel:Yet boots it not to think, or to complain,Musing sad ditties to the reckless main.To dreams like these, adieu! the pealing bellSpeaks of the hour that stays not—and the dayTo life's sad turmoil calls my heart away. "On Landing at Ostend", in Poetical Works, vol. 1 (1855) O harmony! thou tenderest nurse of pain,If that thy note's sweet magic e'er can healGriefs which the patient spirit oft may feel,Oh! let me listen to thy songs again;Till memory her fairest tints shall bring;Hope wake with brighter eye, and listening seemWith smiles to think on some delightful dream. "Music", in Poetical Works, vol. 1 (1855) Translations Go tell the Spartans, thou that passest by, That here, obedient to their laws, we lie. From Simonides, "Epitaph for the Spartan dead at Thermopylæ", in Blackwood's Magazine (Dec. 1833) External links William_Lisle_Bowles William Lisle Bowles Category:Poets from England Category:1850 deaths Category:Critics from the United Kingdom