An Oath
A month ago Lysander pray'd
To Jove, to Cupid, and to Venus,
That he might die if he betray'd
A single vow that pass'd between us.
Ah, careless gods, to hear so ill
And cheat a maid on you relying!
For false Lysander's thriving still,
And 'tis Corinna lies a-dying.
poem by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch

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Lysander: Ay me! For aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth.
But either it was different in blood—
line from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act I, Scene 1, script by William Shakespeare (1596)

Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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Sonnet XIII: Phoebus Was Judge
Phoebus was judge between Jove, Mars, and Love,
Of those three gods, whose arms the fairest were:
Jove's golden shield did eagle sables bear,
Whose talons held young Ganymede above:
But in vert field Mars bare a golden spear,
Which through a bleeding heart his point did shove:
Each had his crest; Mars carried Venus' glove,
Jove in his helm the thunderbolt did rear.
Cupid them smiles, for on his crest there lies
Stella's fair hair, her face he makes his shield,
Where roses gules are borne in silver field.
Phoebus drew wide the curtains of the skies
To blaze these last, and sware devoutly then,
The first, thus match'd, were scantly gentlemen.
poem by Philip Sidney

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A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.
quote by Lysander Spooner

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Lysander: The course of true love never did run smooth.
line from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act I, Scene 1, script by William Shakespeare (1596)

Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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The only security men can have for their political liberty, consists in keeping their money in their own pockets.
quote by Lysander Spooner

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist.
quote by Lysander Spooner

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That no government, so called, can reasonably be trusted, or reasonably be supposed to have honest purposes in view, any longer than it depends wholly upon voluntary support.
quote by Lysander Spooner

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Eid greetings
“Happy Ramadan and Eid Mubark” I sincerely pray
Holy Ramadan end today on this very day
Let almighty shower all the blessings
You find all happiness without a single missing
I surrendered to almighty with a single wish
That you have everything in life with fine finish
I bowed before Him and prayed for happy stay
Happiness and joy with the family all the way
I waited for this holy day to end
With all fasts to the happiness of friend
May, Allah the almighty, show you the direction
Nothing can be sported as patch in your action
I obeyed his call during month long stay
Not a single day missed when I didn’t pay
That you be blessed with whatever possible
Life may pass with happiness and without any trouble
Stars had twinkled with gentle smile
The holy month was to start meanwhile
I stayed near to him for you
This one has remained fact and very true
Let this month come every year
When I hear prayers voice in my ear
I pray for your long life and happy journey
Let there be no dearth of precious jewels and money
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal

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happy Ramadan and Eid mubarak
“Happy Ramadan and Eid Mubark” I sincerely pray
Holy Ramadan end today on this very day
Let almighty shower all the blessings
You find all happiness without a single missing
I surrendered to almighty with a single wish
That you have everything in life with fine finish
I bowed before Him and prayed for happy stay
Happiness and joy with the family all the way
I waited for this holy day to end
With all fasts to the happiness of friend
May, Allah the almighty, show you the direction
Nothing can be sported as patch in your action
I obeyed his call during month long stay
Not a single day missed when I didn’t pay
That you be blessed with whatever possible
Life may pass with happiness and without any trouble
Stars had twinkled with gentle smile
The holy month was to start meanwhile
I stayed near to him for you
This one has remained fact and very true
Let this month come every year
When I hear prayers voice in my ear
I pray for your long life and happy journey
Let there be no dearth of precious jewels and money
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal

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Corinna
(written by taj mahal and jesse ed davis)
Just when you think you know me, think again
(corinna, corinna, corinna)
Hmm, aint nothin like my corinna (corinna)
(corinna) hmm, aint nothin like my corinna (corinna)
I got a bird wanna whistles
Baby, got a bird
Honey got a bird will sing
Baby, got a bird
Honey got a bird will sing
Without my corinna
Sure dont mean
Sure dont mean a natural thing
Oh, I learned to love you
Baby, for I call
Honey, for I call your name
Baby, for I call
Honey, for I call out your name
I wouldnt trade your love for money
Baby, youre my warm hearts
Honey, youre my warm hearts flame
Oh, oh, oh (corinna)
(hmm, aint nothing like my corinna)
(na, na, na, na, na, na, na (corinna)
(hmm, aint nothing like my corinna)
Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Honey, youre my hard luck
Baby, youre my hard luck soul
Honey, youre my hard luck
Women, on my hard luck soul
Got a rainbow round my shoulder
Shine like silver
Looks like some ol fools gold
-musical interlude-
(ooh, ah, ooh)
(corinna) oh, oh
(hmm, aint nothing like my corinna)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, ooh
(corinna) (hmm, aint nothing like my corinna)
Well, I love you so much, honey
Gotta tell the world
Baby, baby, tell the world I do
(corinna)
Oh, honey tell the world
Baby, tell the world I do
You know, you know, you know, you know
Aint no man, aint no man in fourteen countries
Gonna love me baby
Baby like the way you do
Hey, hey, hey
I got a bird wanna whistle
Baby, got a bird
Honey, got a bird will sing
Honey got a bird
Baby, got a bird that will sing
Oh, without my corinna
Sure dont mean
Sure dont mean a natural thing
Gotta say it one more time (corinna) oh
(hmm, aint nothing like my corinna)
Oh (corinna)
(hmm, aint nothing like my corinna)
Aint nothin, nothin, nothin, nothin
(hmm, aint nothin like my corinna)
Tell the world, tell the world about it (corinna)
(hmm, aint nothin like my corinna) sing!
(corinna) (hmm) ooh
(aint nothin like my corinna) hee, hee
I like it when you...
(hmm, aint nothin like my)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, (corinna) oh
Corinna (corinna)
(hmm, aint nothin like my corinna)
Corinna, corinna (corinna)
(hmm, aint nothin like my corinna)
Corinna, oh, oh, corinna (corinna)
(hmm, aint nothin like my corinna)...
song performed by by Natalie Cole

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The Pedant
Lysander talks extremely well;
On any subject let him dwell
His tropes and figures will content ye
He should possess to all degrees
The art of talk; he practises
Full fourteen hours in four-and-twenty.
poem by Matthew Prior

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Songs Set To Music: 26.
Some kind angel, gently flying,
Moved with pity at my pain,
Tell Corinna I am dying
Till with joy we meet again.
Tell Corinna, since we parted
I have never known delight,
And shall soon be broken-hearted
If I longer want her sight.
Tell her how her lover, mourning,
Thinks each lazy day a year,
Cursing every morn returning,
Since Corinna is not here.
Tell her, too, not distant places,
Will she be but true and kind,
Join'd with time and change of faces,
E'er shall shake my constant mind.
poem by Matthew Prior

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If There's A God
If there's a God that God is for everybody and in every good person that God you will find
And if there's a God that God is not judgemental but understanding very wise and kind
The fundimentalists say that their God is a true God and those who pray to other Gods to false Gods pray
The true God than their God must be far kinder a far superior God in every way,
Some people who are spiritual as well as quite wise say there's only one God and that's the God within
And that God is ever kind and none judgemental and capable of forgiving even mortal sin
The God men wage war for is not a true God and many go to war in their God's name
A true God would not need them as worshippers war to a true God would be a thing of shame
If there's a God that God is a kind spirit and far greater than the God's we hear about
He even could embrace the non believers and give them the benefit of any doubt
The Gods we hear about they do seem cruel Gods so egotistical in their own way
An eye for an eye does seem for to appease them for everyone's life a true God respect would pay
And if there's a God that God is for all people unlike the God that humankind create
A God who believes on a fair go for all people and the only God we ought to celebrate.
poem by Francis Duggan

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If the jury have no right to judge of the justice of a law of the government, they plainly can do nothing to protect the people against the oppressions of the government; for there are no oppressions which the government may not authorize by law.
quote by Lysander Spooner

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Through all time, so far as history informs us, wherever mankind have attempted to live in peace with each other, both the natural instincts, and the collective wisdom of the human race, have acknowledged and prescribed, as an indispensable condition, obedience to this one only universal obligation: viz., that each should live honestly towards every other. The ancient maxim makes the sum of a man’s legal duty to his fellow men to be simply this: "To live honestly, to hurt no one, to give to every one his due." This entire maxim is really expressed in the single words, to live honestly; since to live honestly is to hurt no one, and give to every one his due.
quote by Lysander Spooner

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Written After Swimming From Sestos to Abydos
If, in the month of dark December,
Leander, who was nightly wont
(What maid will not the tale remember?)
To cross thy stream, broad Hellespont!
If, when the wintry tempest roar'd,
He sped to Hero, nothing loth,
And thus of old thy current pour'd,
Fair Venus! how I pity both!
For me, degenerate modern wretch,
Though in the genial month of May,
My dripping limbs I faintly stretch,
And think I've done a feat today.
But since he cross'd the rapid tide,
According to the doubtful story,
To woo, -- and -- Lord knows what beside,
And swam for Love, as I for Glory;
'Twere hard to say who fared the best:
Sad mortals! thus the gods still plague you!
He lost his labour, I my jest;
For he was drown'd, and I've the ague.
poem by Byron (1810)

Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Licia Sonnets 13
Enamored Jove commanding did entreat
Cupid to wound my love, which he denied,
And swore he could not for she wanted heat
And would not love, as he full oft had tried.
Jove in a rage, impatient this to hear,
Replied with threats; "I'll make you to obey!"
Whereat the boy did fly away for fear
To Licia's eyes, where safe intrenched he lay.
Then Jove he scorned, and dared him to his face,
For now more safe than in the heavens he dwelled,
Nor could Jove's wrath do wrong to such a place
Where grace and honour have their kingdom held.
Thus in the pride and beauty of her eyes
The seely boy the greatest god defies.
poem by Giles Fletcher The Elder

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The Trial of the Gods
NEVER nobler was the Senate,
Never grander the debate:
Rome's old gods are on their trial
By the judges of the state!
Torn by warring creeds, the Fathers
Urge to-day the question home—
'Whether Jupiter or Jesus
Shall be God henceforth in Rome?'
Lo, the scene! In Jove's own temple,
As of old, the Fathers meet;
Through the porch, to hear the speeches,
Press the people from the street.
Pontiffs, rich with purple vesture,
Pass from senate chair to chair;
Learned augurs, still as statues—
Voiceless statues, too—are there;
Vestal virgins, white with terror,
Mutely asking—what has come?
What new light shall turn to darkness
Vesta's holy fire in Rome?
Answer, Quindecemvirs! Surely,
Of this wondrous Nazarene
Ye must know, who keep the secrets
Of the prophet Sibylline?
Nay, no word! Here stand the Flamens:
Have ye read the omens, priests?
Slain the victims, white and sable,
Scanned the entrails of the beast?
Priest of Pallas, see! the people
Ask for oracles to-day:
Silent! Priests of Mars and Venus?
Lo, they turn, dumb-lipped, away!
Priest of Jove? Flamen dialis!
Here in Jove's own temple meet
In debate the Roman Senate,
And Jove's priest with timid feet
Stands beyond the altar railing!
Gods, I feel ye frown above!
In the shadow of Jove's altar
Men defy the might of Jove!
Treason riots in the temple
At the sacrilege profound:
Virgins mocked, and augurs banished,
And divinities discrowned!
Hush! Old Rome herself appeareth,
Pleading for the ancient faith:
Urging all her by-gone glory—
That to change the old were death.
Rudely answer the patricians,
Scoffing at the time-worn snare:
Twice a thousand years of sacrifice
Have melted into air;
Twice a thousand years of worship
Have bitterly sufficed
To prove there is no Jupiter!
The Senate votes for Christ!
Not aimless is the story,
The moral not remote:
For still the gods are questioned,
And still the Senates vote.
Men sacrifice to Venus;
To Mars are victims led;
And Mercury is honored still;
And Bacchus is not dead;—
But these are minor deities
That cling to human sight:
Our twilight they—but Right and Wrong
Are clear as day and night.
We know the Truth: but falsehood
With our lives is so inwove—
Our Senates vote down Jesus
As old Rome degraded Jove!
poem by John Boyle O'Reilly

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Cupid And Ganymede
In Heav'n, one Holy-day, You read
In wise Anacreon, Ganymede
Drew heedless Cupid in, to throw
A Main, to pass an Hour, or so.
The little Trojan, by the way,
By Hermes taught, play'd All the Play.
The God unhappily engag'd,
By Nature rash, by Play enrag'd,
Complain'd, and sigh'd, and cry'd, and fretted;
Lost ev'ry earthly thing He betted:
In ready Mony, all the Store
Pick'd up long since from Danae's Show'r;
A Snush-Box, set with bleeding Hearts,
Rubies, all pierc'd with Diamond Darts;
His Nine-pins, made of Myrtle Wood;
(The Tree in Ida's Forest stood)
His Bowl pure Gold, the very same
Which Paris gave the Cyprian Dame;
Two Table-Books in Shagreen Covers;
Fill'd with good Verse from real Lovers;
Merchandise rare! A Billet-doux,
It's Matter passionate, yet true:
Heaps of Hair Rings, and cypher'd Seals;
Rich Trifles; serious Bagatelles.
What sad Disorders Play begets!
Desp'rate and mad, at length He sets
Those Darts, whose Points make Gods adore
His Might, and deprecate his Pow'r:
Those Darts, whence all our Joy and Pain
Arise: those Darts—come, Seven's the Main,
Cries Ganymede: The usual Trick:
Seven, slur a Six; Eleven: A Nick.
Ill News goes fast: 'Twas quickly known,
That simple Cupid was undone.
Swifter than Lightning Venus flew:
Too late She found the thing too true.
Guess how the Goddess greets her Son:
Come hither, Sirrah; no, begon;
And, hark Ye, is it so indeed?
A Comrade You for Ganymede?
An Imp as wicked, for his Age,
As any earthly Lady's Page;
A Scandal and a Scourge to Troy:
A Prince's Son? A Black-guard Boy:
A Sharper, that with Box and Dice
Draws in young Deities to Vice.
All Heav'n is by the Ears together,
Since first That little Rogue came hither:
Juno her self has had no Peace:
And truly I've been favour'd less:
For Jove, as Fame reports, (but Fame
Says things not fit for Me to name)
Has acted ill for such a God,
And taken Ways extreamly odd.
And Thou, unhappy Child, She said
(Her Anger by her Grief allay'd)
Unhappy Child, who thus hast lost
All the Estate We e'er could boast;
Whither, O whither wilt Thou run,
Thy Name despis'd, thy Weakness known?
Nor shall thy Shrine on Earth be crown'd:
Nor shall thy Pow'r in Heav'n be own'd;
When Thou, nor Man, nor God can'st wound.
Obedient Cupid kneeling cry'd,
Cease, dearest Mother, cease to chide:
Gany's a Cheat, and I'm a Bubble:
Yet why this great Excess of Trouble?
The Dice were false: the Darts are gone:
Yet how are You, or I undone?
The Loss of These I can supply
With keener Shafts from Cloe's Eye:
Fear not, We e'er can be disgrac'd,
While That bright Magazine shall last:
Your crowded Altars still shall smoke;
And Man your Friendly Aid invoke:
Jove shall again revere your Pow'r,
And rise a Swan, or fall a Show'r.
poem by Matthew Prior

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Corinna
This day (the year I dare not tell)
Apollo play'd the midwife's part;
Into the world Corinna fell,
And he endued her with his art.
But Cupid with a Satyr comes;
Both softly to the cradle creep;
Both stroke her hands, and rub her gums,
While the poor child lay fast asleep.
Then Cupid thus: 'This little maid
Of love shall always speak and write;'
'And I pronounce,' the Satyr said,
'The world shall feel her scratch and bite.'
Her talent she display'd betimes;
For in a few revolving moons,
She seem'd to laugh and squall in rhymes,
And all her gestures were lampoons.
At six years old, the subtle jade
Stole to the pantry-door, and found
The butler with my lady's maid:
And you may swear the tale went round.
She made a song, how little miss
Was kiss'd and slobber'd by a lad:
And how, when master went to p—,
Miss came, and peep'd at all he had.
At twelve, a wit and a coquette;
Marries for love, half whore, half wife;
Cuckolds, elopes, and runs in debt;
Turns authoress, and is Curll's for life.
Her common-place book all gallant is,
Of scandal now a cornucopia;
She pours it out in Atalantis
Or memoirs of the New Utopia.
poem by Jonathan Swift

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