Samuel Johnson

Poems » samuel johnson

Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson LL.D. (September 18 [O.S. September 7] 1709 – 13 December 1784), often referred to simply as Dr Johnson, is one of England's best known literary figures: a poet, essayist, biographer, lexicographer and a critic of English Literature. He was also a great wit and prose stylist, well known for his aphorisms. Dr Johnson is the most quoted of English writers after Shakespeare and has been described as one of the outstanding figures of 18th-century England.

drury-lane prologue spoken by mr. garrick at the opening of the theatre in drury-lane, 1747
When Learning's triumph o'er her barb'rous foes
First rear'd the stage, immortal Shakespear ros... [read poem]
a celebration of charis: iv. her triumph
See the chariot at hand here of Love,
Wherein my lady rideth!
Each that draws is a s... [read poem]
cynthia's revels: queen and huntress, chaste and fair
Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in thy silver ch... [read poem]
epicoene, or the silent woman: still to be neat, still to be drest
Still to be neat, still to be drest,
As you were going to a feast;
Still to be powder'd, s... [read poem]
epigrams: an epitaph on s.p.
Weep with me, all you that read
This little story:
And know, for whom a tear you she... [read poem]
epigrams: epitaph on elizabeth, l. h.
Wouldst thou hear what man can say
In a little? Reader, stay.
Underneath this stone doth l... [read poem]
epigrams: on my first son
Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;
My sin was too much hope of thee, lov'd boy.... [read poem]
epigrams: to john donne
Donne, the delight of Phoebus and each Muse
Who, to thy one, all other brains refuse;
Whos... [read poem]
epigrams: to lucy, countess of bedford, with john donne's satires
Lucy, you brightness of our sphere, who are
Life of the Muses' day, their morning star!
If... [read poem]
a fit of rhyme against rhyme
Rhyme, the rack of finest wits,
That expresseth but by fits
True conceit,
Spoil... [read poem]
a hymn to god the father
Hear me, O God!
A broken heart
Is my best part.
Use still thy rod,
That I may pr... [read poem]
the metamorphosed gypsies
The fairy beam upon you,
The stars to glister on you;
A moon of light
In the ... [read poem]
my picture left in scotland
I now think Love is rather deaf than blind,
For else it could not be
That she,... [read poem]
an ode to himself
Where dost thou careless lie,
Buried in ease and sloth?
Knowledge that sleeps doth die;... [read poem]
ode to himself upon the censure of his "new inn"
Come, leave the loathed stage,
And the more loathsome age;
Where pride and impudence, ... [read poem]
a pindaric ode
TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY AND FRIENDSHIP OF THAT NOBLE PAIR, SIR LUCIUS CARY AND SIR H. MORISON
... [read poem]
song to celia
Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but i... [read poem]
to heaven
Good and great God, can I not think of thee
But it must straight my melancholy be?
Is it i... [read poem]
to the memory of my beloved the author, mr. william shakespeare
To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name,
Am I thus ample to thy book and fame;
While I c... [read poem]
volpone: come my celia, let us prove
Come my Celia, let us prove,
While we may, the sports of love.
Time will not be ours for e... [read poem]
delay
The radiance of the star that leans on me
Was shining years ago. The light that now
Glitte... [read poem]
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