Poem Theme: Hopelessness / vanity of life / Related People: Not attributed

1. A fig for ear why should we spare

First Line:: A fig for ear why should we spare
Last Line:: Where no body means to find us
DMI number:: 43081

2. A certain maid too prudishly inclined

First Line:: A certain maid too prudishly inclined
Last Line:: And then lead apes in hell
DMI number:: 33503

3. A heart that's bleeding with deep despair

First Line:: A heart that's bleeding with deep despair
Last Line:: Each swain adoring is sure to die
Author:: Henry Carey (Absolute)
DMI number:: 2446

4. A stranger from Hibernia came

First Line:: A stranger from Hibernia came
Last Line:: Remember 'tis a Dorset sways
Author:: Mary Barber (Absolute)
DMI number:: 967

5. A swain of love despairing

First Line:: A swain of love despairing
Last Line:: He fell upon the plain
DMI number:: 2433

6. A moment's space a transient span

First Line:: A moment's space a transient span
Last Line:: So short is life so frail is man
DMI number:: 34207

7. All fly the unhappy and I all would fly

First Line:: All fly the unhappy and I all would fly
Last Line:: For sure the soul his wisdom made his power continues still
Author:: Anne Finch [nee Kingsmill] (Speculation) & Anne Wharton [nee Lee] (Absolute)
DMI number:: 3879

8. Alas how swift the crowding minutes pass

First Line:: Alas how swift the crowding minutes pass
Last Line:: Of glutton priests when they their solemn feasts profess
DMI number:: 3900

9. Alas to this we come why why is life

First Line:: Alas to this we come why why is life
Last Line:: Alas so long their art so short their day
DMI number:: 16657

10. Ah Death thou pleasing end to human woe

First Line:: Ah Death thou pleasing end to human woe
Last Line:: And thy soft slumbers only bless the brave
DMI number:: 18102

11. As I beneath a myrtle shade lay musing

First Line:: As I beneath a myrtle shade lay musing
Last Line:: Then sucked the balm and found a cure
DMI number:: 2545

12. Are these the effects is this then all I gain

First Line:: Are these the effects is this then all I gain
Last Line:: Which the first chaos did but typify
DMI number:: 42576

13. As all alone I slowly tread

First Line:: As all alone I slowly tread
Last Line:: Man dies to live and lives to die no more
DMI number:: 35270

14. As swift as time put round the glass

First Line:: As swift as time put round the glass
Last Line:: For you to be merry's to be wise
DMI number:: 2377

15. Away away thou ape of solid bliss

First Line:: Away away thou ape of solid bliss
Last Line:: He purchased for himself the overrated ball
DMI number:: 43384

16. As when on mountain heads

First Line:: As when on mountain heads
Last Line:: When love's declared his foe
DMI number:: 2434

17. Ask not the cause why sullen spring

First Line:: Ask not the cause why sullen spring
Last Line:: I only am by love designed
Author:: John Dryden (Absolute)
DMI number:: 657

18. Believe me sir he's neither good nor great

First Line:: Believe me sir he's neither good nor great
Last Line:: But this remain when both shall be no more
DMI number:: 36283

19. Beneath the horrors of a grave

First Line:: Beneath the horrors of a grave
Last Line:: To pluck the fairest flower first
DMI number:: 25197

20. Can mortal man boast of his days

First Line:: Can mortal man boast of his days
Last Line:: Kings lords and princes are but man
DMI number:: 30662

21. Can storied urn or animated bust

First Line:: Can storied urn or animated bust
Last Line:: Or flattery soothe the dull cold ear of death
DMI number:: 40591

22. Can the deep statesman skilled in great design

First Line:: Can the deep statesman skilled in great design
Last Line:: The wish that sighs for sublunary things
Author:: John Cunningham (Absolute)
DMI number:: 33128

23. Careless besotted man whose baffled mind

First Line:: Careless besotted man whose baffled mind
Last Line:: And more than all the dearest things but thee
Author:: Edmund Arwaker (Absolute)
DMI number:: 30618

24. Busy curious thirsty fly

First Line:: Busy curious thirsty fly
Last Line:: Will appear as short as one
DMI number:: 3256

25. Come old time and use thy sickle

First Line:: Come old time and use thy sickle
Last Line:: Any real blessings here
DMI number:: 5113

26. Christ is to me as life on earth

First Line:: Christ is to me as life on earth
Last Line:: Must pass and fade away
DMI number:: 33800

27. Come hither and behold the fruits

First Line:: Come hither and behold the fruits
Last Line:: Olympus trembling as he nods
Author:: Jonathan Swift (Absolute)
DMI number:: 23980

28. Daughter of Jove relentless power

First Line:: Daughter of Jove relentless power
Last Line:: What others are to feel and know myself a man
Author:: Thomas Gray (Absolute)
DMI number:: 24572

29. Dear child these words which briefly I declare

First Line:: Dear child these words which briefly I declare
Last Line:: Where sin and sorrow shall for ever cease
DMI number:: 30362

30. Cruel stars your rage we find

First Line:: Cruel stars your rage we find
Last Line:: Alas but little worth our care
DMI number:: 603

31. Dear saviour oh what ails this heart

First Line:: Dear saviour oh what ails this heart
Last Line:: Cleave this obdurate heart in sunder
DMI number:: 43240

32. Deluded mortal turn and view my store

First Line:: Deluded mortal turn and view my store
Last Line:: Where peace and love and endless pleasures reign
Author:: Elizabeth Rowe [nee Singer] (Absolute)
DMI number:: 4076

33. Despairing beside a clear stream

First Line:: Despairing beside a clear stream
Last Line:: His ghost shall glide over the green
Author:: Matthew Prior (Speculation) & Nicholas Rowe (Absolute)
DMI number:: 496

34. Ere the foundations of the world were laid

First Line:: Ere the foundations of the world were laid
Last Line:: Ten thousand thousand rolling years are nought
Author:: John Gay (Absolute)
DMI number:: 8427

35. Did ever swain a nymph adore

First Line:: Did ever swain a nymph adore
Last Line:: I'll hang me in her apron string
DMI number:: 806

36. Fame riches honour birth or wit

First Line:: Fame riches honour birth or wit
Last Line:: There's nought to wish or fear
DMI number:: 23292

37. Farewell vain world and thou it vainest part

First Line:: Farewell vain world and thou it vainest part
Last Line:: Of which the noisy babbling world complains
Author:: Benjamin Ibbot (Absolute)
DMI number:: 19121

38. First-born of Erebus and gloomy care

First Line:: First-born of Erebus and gloomy care
Last Line:: Gladness comes after grief and sorrow follows joy
DMI number:: 10550

39. From finished prayer the flock disperse apace

First Line:: From finished prayer the flock disperse apace
Last Line:: And own though styled a God thou art still a man
Author:: John Dart (Absolute)
DMI number:: 36276

40. For quiet on Newmarket's plain

First Line:: For quiet on Newmarket's plain
Last Line:: Shall guard the laws divine
Author:: John Duncombe (Absolute)
DMI number:: 25541

41. For quiet Yorke the sailor cries

First Line:: For quiet Yorke the sailor cries
Last Line:: I mean that aren't freeholders
Author:: Soame Jenyns (Absolute)
DMI number:: 20407

42. For the brook and the willow

First Line:: For the brook and the willow
Last Line:: She called upon death for to bring her relief | To the brook &c
DMI number:: 2413

43. From rosy bowers where sleeps the god of love

First Line:: From rosy bowers where sleeps the god of love
Last Line:: Ere thus in vain adore
Author:: Thomas D'Urfey (Absolute)
DMI number:: 23670

44. From rosy fingers morning shook the dew

First Line:: From rosy fingers morning shook the dew
Last Line:: With guiltless mirth to crown the happy day
Author:: John Hawkesworth (Absolute)
DMI number:: 25320

45. Gentle gales that fan the may

First Line:: Gentle gales that fan the may
Last Line:: Fill the mountains with our moans
DMI number:: 2399

46. From the maternal tomb

First Line:: From the maternal tomb
Last Line:: Are but the empty dreams which in death's sleep we make
Author:: Abraham Cowley (Absolute)
DMI number:: 6007

47. From Utrecht's silent walks by winds I send

First Line:: From Utrecht's silent walks by winds I send
Last Line:: And dying finds too late he lived in vain
Author:: Ambrose Philips (Absolute)
DMI number:: 11777

48. Go thy way go thy way

First Line:: Go thy way go thy way
Last Line:: And thou shalt see
DMI number:: 44144

49. Hail hallowed fane amid whose mouldring shrines

First Line:: Hail hallowed fane amid whose mouldring shrines
Last Line:: Amid the mansions of eternal light
Author:: Reginald Heber (Absolute)
DMI number:: 32685

50. Great source of bliss send down a gracious beam

First Line:: Great source of bliss send down a gracious beam
Last Line:: Most discontented for thy discontent
DMI number:: 36222

51. Grim king of the ghosts make haste

First Line:: Grim king of the ghosts make haste
Last Line:: Is hovering in the air
DMI number:: 2551

52. Hail pensive virgin ever hail

First Line:: Hail pensive virgin ever hail
Last Line:: Sweet nun I long to visit thee
Author:: Joseph Cockfield (Absolute)
DMI number:: 30397

53. Hail midnight shades hail venerable dome

First Line:: Hail midnight shades hail venerable dome
Last Line:: And name and place are here for ever lost
Author:: David Mallet (Absolute)
DMI number:: 30903

54. Ha not a breath of wind no gentle breeze

First Line:: Ha not a breath of wind no gentle breeze
Last Line:: Tis virtue only blossoms in the dust
DMI number:: 25331

55. Hail aged remains of what thou once hast been

First Line:: Hail aged remains of what thou once hast been
Last Line:: But by time's stronger hand subdued at last
DMI number:: 35406

56. Good lord what a pass is this world brought to

First Line:: Good lord what a pass is this world brought to
Last Line:: And first find a needle in a bottle of hay
DMI number:: 42940

57. Good people quit all earthly glory

First Line:: Good people quit all earthly glory
Last Line:: We can't enjoy or call our own
DMI number:: 25078

58. Here from afar the finished height

First Line:: Here from afar the finished height
Last Line:: And pitying griefs are thine
Author:: John Gambold (Confident)
DMI number:: 27459

59. Here lies that wretched favourite ridden thing

First Line:: Here lies that wretched favourite ridden thing
Last Line:: Who when alive believed himself a king
DMI number:: 33572

60. Hours months and years with gliding pace

First Line:: Hours months and years with gliding pace
Last Line:: At their proud feasts the Salian train
Author:: William Duncombe (Absolute)
DMI number:: 25537

61. How loathes my soul this sorrowful abode

First Line:: How loathes my soul this sorrowful abode
Last Line:: Yet but unquiet rest if Canaan we obtain
DMI number:: 23291

62. Hopeless abandoned aimless and oppressed

First Line:: Hopeless abandoned aimless and oppressed
Last Line:: And when she pities who can be distressed
Author:: Aaron Hill (Absolute)
DMI number:: 1017

63. Ho every one whose thirsty soul doth pant

First Line:: Ho every one whose thirsty soul doth pant
Last Line:: And endless sign of everlasting fame
DMI number:: 14101

64. How full of troubles is the life of man

First Line:: How full of troubles is the life of man
Last Line:: And hell grow proud of the dominion
DMI number:: 43484

65. How gaily is at first begun

First Line:: How gaily is at first begun
Last Line:: Leave following crowds behind
Author:: Anne Finch [nee Kingsmill] (Absolute)
DMI number:: 17540

66. How happy is the prisoner who conquers his fate

First Line:: How happy is the prisoner who conquers his fate
Last Line:: For man is the worlds epitome
DMI number:: 42949

67. How soon frail royalty is over

First Line:: How soon frail royalty is over
Last Line:: To silence and the shade returns
DMI number:: 17105

68. How vain are all things here below

First Line:: How vain are all things here below
Last Line:: Who was both saint and queen
DMI number:: 11196

69. How vain are mortal man's endeavours

First Line:: How vain are mortal man's endeavours
Last Line:: Runs the same track it went before
Author:: Jonathan Swift (Speculation) & John Gay (Absolute)
DMI number:: 2003

70. How vain are mortal man's endeavours

First Line:: How vain are mortal man's endeavours
Last Line:: Runs the same tract it went before
Author:: Jonathan Swift (Speculation) & John Gay (Absolute)
DMI number:: 15422

71. How vain is man how fluttering are his joys

First Line:: How vain is man how fluttering are his joys
Last Line:: Or never hope to meet with happy days
DMI number:: 40583

72. How various are the cares which man surround

First Line:: How various are the cares which man surround
Last Line:: Too prone to change too knowing to be told
DMI number:: 12842

73. How weak how vain is human pride

First Line:: How weak how vain is human pride
Last Line:: For different tastes please different vermin
Author:: John Gay (Absolute)
DMI number:: 23349

74. How wouldst thou shake at Britain's modish tribe

First Line:: How wouldst thou shake at Britain's modish tribe
Last Line:: To rust on medals or on stones decay
Author:: Samuel Johnson (Absolute)
DMI number:: 23587

75. I do not ask thee fate to give

First Line:: I do not ask thee fate to give
Last Line:: Are bound to no set laws but humoursomly rove
Author:: John Norris (Absolute)
DMI number:: 5525

76. I dreamed when buried by my fellow clay

First Line:: I dreamed when buried by my fellow clay
Last Line:: This is my rotting place and that is thine
DMI number:: 17601

77. Impatient man why do I grieve and mourn

First Line:: Impatient man why do I grieve and mourn
Last Line:: If none my grief is fruitless and in vain
DMI number:: 4351

78. Is this alas our boasted mortal's state

First Line:: Is this alas our boasted mortal's state
Last Line:: Thus poise you turn you and wonder at the view
DMI number:: 30661

79. In various courses busy mortals move

First Line:: In various courses busy mortals move
Last Line:: And calmly bear the griefs we cannot shun
DMI number:: 8144

80. Is it a pride alas to please the world

First Line:: Is it a pride alas to please the world
Last Line:: A world of madness falshood and injustice
DMI number:: 21638

81. In vain dear madam yes in vain you strive

First Line:: In vain dear madam yes in vain you strive
Last Line:: Thousands may enter through the gates of death
Author:: Mary Leapor (Absolute)
DMI number:: 23734

82. Lord if our days be few why do we spend

First Line:: Lord if our days be few why do we spend
Last Line:: We make them evil and thou makest them few
Author:: Francis Quarles (Absolute)
DMI number:: 17397

83. Like to the falling of a star

First Line:: Like to the falling of a star
Last Line:: The flight is past and man forgot
Author:: Henry King (Absolute)
DMI number:: 16124

84. Life like a plaything humours us a while

First Line:: Life like a plaything humours us a while
Last Line:: A life celestial and begun in this
DMI number:: 36202

85. Life recounting all its gains

First Line:: Life recounting all its gains
Last Line:: Than your siren arts can bring
DMI number:: 23388

86. Life the dear precarious boon

First Line:: Life the dear precarious boon
Last Line:: Awful period who can tell
Author:: John Hawkesworth (Absolute)
DMI number:: 22984

87. Move faster life thou tiresome guest away

First Line:: Move faster life thou tiresome guest away
Last Line:: Tis better once to die then welcome death
DMI number:: 6157

88. My swelling griefs intending to allay

First Line:: My swelling griefs intending to allay
Last Line:: Twill shroud me safer than a sheet of lead
DMI number:: 7169

89. My prime of youth is but a frost of cares

First Line:: My prime of youth is but a frost of cares
Last Line:: And now I live and now my life is done
DMI number:: 43369

90. Mortality behold and fear

First Line:: Mortality behold and fear
Last Line:: Buried in dust once dead by fate
Author:: Francis Beaumont (Confident)
DMI number:: 15794

91. Mortality behold and fear

First Line:: Mortality behold and fear
Last Line:: Yet to this shape all must be brought
DMI number:: 41955

92. I pity the aspiring cheel

First Line:: I pity the aspiring cheel
Last Line:: That a mankind's ae Sisyphus
DMI number:: 25157

93. I leave mortality's low sphere

First Line:: I leave mortality's low sphere
Last Line:: And bears the thunder through the aetherial plains
Author:: John Hughes (Absolute)
DMI number:: 21276

94. I'll sing you a sonnet that never was in print

First Line:: I'll sing you a sonnet that never was in print
Last Line:: For writing of nothing I comprehend all
DMI number:: 44222

95. I'll sing you a sonnet that never was in print

First Line:: I'll sing you a sonnet that never was in print
Last Line:: If the vintner should cry there is nothing to pay
DMI number:: 42937

96. If conquered realms or power from death could save

First Line:: If conquered realms or power from death could save
Last Line:: In this small tomb in smaller ashes lies
DMI number:: 23873

97. If the remembrance of whatever was dear

First Line:: If the remembrance of whatever was dear
Last Line:: Till ravished from before our eyes and gone
Author:: Vincent Bourne (Absolute)
DMI number:: 25193

98. If for mere wantonness you buy so fast

First Line:: If for mere wantonness you buy so fast
Last Line:: For very want you must sell all at last
DMI number:: 32354

99. If tender infants who imprisoned stay

First Line:: If tender infants who imprisoned stay
Last Line:: As backward to be born as we to die
Author:: Sir Richard Blackmore (Absolute)
DMI number:: 5561

100. Let dogs and devils die

First Line:: Let dogs and devils die
Last Line:: Our life's but a holiday
DMI number:: 42928

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1. A fig for ear why should we spare

2. A certain maid too prudishly inclined

3. A heart that's bleeding with deep despair

4. A stranger from Hibernia came

5. A swain of love despairing

6. A moment's space a transient span

7. All fly the unhappy and I all would fly

8. Alas how swift the crowding minutes pass

9. Alas to this we come why why is life

10. Ah Death thou pleasing end to human woe

11. As I beneath a myrtle shade lay musing

12. Are these the effects is this then all I gain

13. As all alone I slowly tread

14. As swift as time put round the glass

15. Away away thou ape of solid bliss

16. As when on mountain heads

17. Ask not the cause why sullen spring

18. Believe me sir he's neither good nor great

19. Beneath the horrors of a grave

20. Can mortal man boast of his days

21. Can storied urn or animated bust

22. Can the deep statesman skilled in great design

23. Careless besotted man whose baffled mind

24. Busy curious thirsty fly

25. Come old time and use thy sickle

26. Christ is to me as life on earth

27. Come hither and behold the fruits

28. Daughter of Jove relentless power

29. Dear child these words which briefly I declare

30. Cruel stars your rage we find

31. Dear saviour oh what ails this heart

32. Deluded mortal turn and view my store

33. Despairing beside a clear stream

34. Ere the foundations of the world were laid

35. Did ever swain a nymph adore

36. Fame riches honour birth or wit

37. Farewell vain world and thou it vainest part

38. First-born of Erebus and gloomy care

39. From finished prayer the flock disperse apace

40. For quiet on Newmarket's plain

41. For quiet Yorke the sailor cries

42. For the brook and the willow

43. From rosy bowers where sleeps the god of love

44. From rosy fingers morning shook the dew

45. Gentle gales that fan the may

46. From the maternal tomb

47. From Utrecht's silent walks by winds I send

48. Go thy way go thy way

49. Hail hallowed fane amid whose mouldring shrines

50. Great source of bliss send down a gracious beam

51. Grim king of the ghosts make haste

52. Hail pensive virgin ever hail

53. Hail midnight shades hail venerable dome

54. Ha not a breath of wind no gentle breeze

55. Hail aged remains of what thou once hast been

56. Good lord what a pass is this world brought to

57. Good people quit all earthly glory

58. Here from afar the finished height

59. Here lies that wretched favourite ridden thing

60. Hours months and years with gliding pace

61. How loathes my soul this sorrowful abode

62. Hopeless abandoned aimless and oppressed

63. Ho every one whose thirsty soul doth pant

64. How full of troubles is the life of man

65. How gaily is at first begun

66. How happy is the prisoner who conquers his fate

67. How soon frail royalty is over

68. How vain are all things here below

69. How vain are mortal man's endeavours

70. How vain are mortal man's endeavours

71. How vain is man how fluttering are his joys

72. How various are the cares which man surround