Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray
Thomas Graywas an English poet, letter-writer, classical scholar and professor at Pembroke College, Cambridge University. He is widely known for his Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, published in 1751...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth26 December 1716
support age doe
The language of the age is never the language of poetry, except among the French, whose verse, where the thought or image does not support it, differs in nothing from prose.
pain men suffering
To each his suff'rings: all are men, / Condemn'd alike to groan, / The tender for another's pain; / Th' unfeeling for his own.
air wind sea
England, so long mistress of the sea, Where winds and waves confess her sovereignty, Her ancient triumphs yet on high shall bear And reign the sovereign of the conquered air.
sight soul vision
Visions of glory, spare my aching sight! Ye unborn ages, crowd not on my soul!
path glory gray
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
ocean flower dark
Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear: Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
friendship no-friends rite
A fav'rite has no friend!
fate genius commerce
Commerce changes the fate and genius of nations.
dust voice fleeting
Can storied urn, or animated bust Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust, Or Flatt'ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death?
poetry poetic breathe
Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.
smile youth reason
Youth smiles without any reason. It is one of its chiefest charms.
paradise destruction
Thought would destroy their paradise.