Popebot
@popebot.bsky.social
Alexander Pope, couplet by couplet. A bot by @stwalsh.bsky.social
But ah! what mortal lives of bliss secure?
How short a space our worldly joys endure!
How short a space our worldly joys endure!
February 2, 2026 at 12:19 AM
But ah! what mortal lives of bliss secure?
How short a space our worldly joys endure!
How short a space our worldly joys endure!
For whate'er work was undischarg'd abed,
The duteous Knight in this fair garden sped.
The duteous Knight in this fair garden sped.
February 1, 2026 at 11:18 PM
For whate'er work was undischarg'd abed,
The duteous Knight in this fair garden sped.
The duteous Knight in this fair garden sped.
And here in dalliance spend the livelong day,
Solus cum sola, with his sprightly May:
Solus cum sola, with his sprightly May:
February 1, 2026 at 10:18 PM
And here in dalliance spend the livelong day,
Solus cum sola, with his sprightly May:
Solus cum sola, with his sprightly May:
To this sweet place in summer's sultry heat
He used from noise and bus'ness to retreat;
He used from noise and bus'ness to retreat;
February 1, 2026 at 9:17 PM
To this sweet place in summer's sultry heat
He used from noise and bus'ness to retreat;
He used from noise and bus'ness to retreat;
For this he held it dear, and always bore
The silver key that lock'd the garden door.
The silver key that lock'd the garden door.
February 1, 2026 at 8:16 PM
For this he held it dear, and always bore
The silver key that lock'd the garden door.
The silver key that lock'd the garden door.
Hither the noble Knight would oft repair
(His scene of pleasure, and peculiar care);
(His scene of pleasure, and peculiar care);
February 1, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Hither the noble Knight would oft repair
(His scene of pleasure, and peculiar care);
(His scene of pleasure, and peculiar care);
While tuneful sprites a merry concert made,
And airy music warbled thro' the shade.
And airy music warbled thro' the shade.
February 1, 2026 at 6:15 PM
While tuneful sprites a merry concert made,
And airy music warbled thro' the shade.
And airy music warbled thro' the shade.
Their pygmy King, and little fairy Queen,
In circling dances gambol'd on the green,
In circling dances gambol'd on the green,
February 1, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Their pygmy King, and little fairy Queen,
In circling dances gambol'd on the green,
In circling dances gambol'd on the green,
About this spring (if ancient Fame say true)
The dapper Elves their moonlight sports pursue:
The dapper Elves their moonlight sports pursue:
February 1, 2026 at 4:13 PM
About this spring (if ancient Fame say true)
The dapper Elves their moonlight sports pursue:
The dapper Elves their moonlight sports pursue:
Full in the centre of the flowery ground }
A crystal fountain spread its streams around, }
The fruitful banks with verdant laurels crown'd: }
A crystal fountain spread its streams around, }
The fruitful banks with verdant laurels crown'd: }
February 1, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Full in the centre of the flowery ground }
A crystal fountain spread its streams around, }
The fruitful banks with verdant laurels crown'd: }
A crystal fountain spread its streams around, }
The fruitful banks with verdant laurels crown'd: }
Enough to shame the gentlest bard that sings
Of painted meadows, and of purling springs.
Of painted meadows, and of purling springs.
February 1, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Enough to shame the gentlest bard that sings
Of painted meadows, and of purling springs.
Of painted meadows, and of purling springs.
A place to tire the rambling wits of France
In long descriptions, and exceed Romance:
In long descriptions, and exceed Romance:
February 1, 2026 at 1:11 PM
A place to tire the rambling wits of France
In long descriptions, and exceed Romance:
In long descriptions, and exceed Romance:
Priapus could not half describe the grace
(Tho' God of gardens) of this charming place:
(Tho' God of gardens) of this charming place:
February 1, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Priapus could not half describe the grace
(Tho' God of gardens) of this charming place:
(Tho' God of gardens) of this charming place:
His spacious garden, made to yield to none,
Was compass'd round with walls of solid stone;
Was compass'd round with walls of solid stone;
February 1, 2026 at 11:09 AM
His spacious garden, made to yield to none,
Was compass'd round with walls of solid stone;
Was compass'd round with walls of solid stone;
His house was stately, his retinue gay.
Large was his train, and gorgeous his array.
Large was his train, and gorgeous his array.
February 1, 2026 at 10:09 AM
His house was stately, his retinue gay.
Large was his train, and gorgeous his array.
Large was his train, and gorgeous his array.
For, like a prince, he bore the vast expense
Of lavish pomp, and proud magnificence:
Of lavish pomp, and proud magnificence:
February 1, 2026 at 9:17 AM
For, like a prince, he bore the vast expense
Of lavish pomp, and proud magnificence:
Of lavish pomp, and proud magnificence:
Our Knight (who studied much, we may suppose)
Derived his high philosophy from those;
Derived his high philosophy from those;
February 1, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Our Knight (who studied much, we may suppose)
Derived his high philosophy from those;
Derived his high philosophy from those;
But to my tale:--Some sages have defin'd
Pleasure the sov'reign bliss of humankind:
Pleasure the sov'reign bliss of humankind:
February 1, 2026 at 7:16 AM
But to my tale:--Some sages have defin'd
Pleasure the sov'reign bliss of humankind:
Pleasure the sov'reign bliss of humankind:
But she, your sex's mirror, free from pride,
Was much too meek to prove a homicide.
Was much too meek to prove a homicide.
February 1, 2026 at 6:15 AM
But she, your sex's mirror, free from pride,
Was much too meek to prove a homicide.
Was much too meek to prove a homicide.
Had some fierce tyrant in her stead been found,
The poor adorer sure had hang'd or drown'd:
The poor adorer sure had hang'd or drown'd:
February 1, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Had some fierce tyrant in her stead been found,
The poor adorer sure had hang'd or drown'd:
The poor adorer sure had hang'd or drown'd:
Ye Fair, draw near, let May's example move
Your gentle minds to pity those who love!
Your gentle minds to pity those who love!
February 1, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Ye Fair, draw near, let May's example move
Your gentle minds to pity those who love!
Your gentle minds to pity those who love!
Receiv'd th' impressions of the lovesick Squire,
And wasted in the soft infectious fire.
And wasted in the soft infectious fire.
February 1, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Receiv'd th' impressions of the lovesick Squire,
And wasted in the soft infectious fire.
And wasted in the soft infectious fire.
Whatever was the cause, the tender dame
Felt the first motions of an infant flame;
Felt the first motions of an infant flame;
February 1, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Whatever was the cause, the tender dame
Felt the first motions of an infant flame;
Felt the first motions of an infant flame;
Or that some star, with aspect kind to love,
Shed its selectest influence from above;
Shed its selectest influence from above;
February 1, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Or that some star, with aspect kind to love,
Shed its selectest influence from above;
Shed its selectest influence from above;
Were it by forceful Destiny decreed,
Or did from Chance, or Nature's power proceed;
Or did from Chance, or Nature's power proceed;
February 1, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Were it by forceful Destiny decreed,
Or did from Chance, or Nature's power proceed;
Or did from Chance, or Nature's power proceed;