12. Abraham Lincoln, 1809. A people is but the attempt of many 13. Talleyrand, 1754. LURIA. Religion's all or nothing: it's no mere smile No quality o' the finelier-tempered clay Like its whiteness or its lightness; rather stuff 14. Winfield Scott Hancock, 1824. Old folk and young folk, still at odds, of course! Age quarrels because Spring puts forth a leaf While Winter has a mind that boughs stay bare. RED COTTON NIGHT-CAP COUNTRY. 15. Ash Wednesday. Let us not always say 66 'Spite of this flesh to-day I strove, made head, gained ground upon the whole !" As the bird sings and wings, Let us cry "All good things Are ours, nor soul helps flesh more, now, than flesh helps soul!" RABBI BEN EZRA. 16. Philip Melanchthon, 1497. In a master's workshop, loving what they make. AN EPISTLE. 17. Michael Angelo died, 1564. I will pass by, and see their happiness, PIPPA PASSES. 18. George Peabody, 1795. One cannot judge Of what has been the ill and well of life, The day that one is dying sorrows change Into not altogether sorrow-like; I do see strangeness but scarce misery, THE RING AND THE BOOK. 19. Copernicus, 1473. Enough now, if the Right And Good and Infinite Be named here, as thou callest thy hand thine own, With knowledge absolute, Subject to no dispute From fools that crowded youth, nor let thee feel alone. RABBI BEN EZRA. 20. Voltaire, 1694. Because the very fiends weave ropes of sand A FORGIVENESS. 21. John Henry Newman, 1801. Only grant my soul may carry high through death her cup unspilled, I shall boast it mine ... the balsam, bless each kindly wrench that wrung From life's tree its inmost virtue, tapped the root whence pleasure sprung, Barked the bole, and broke the bough, and bruised the berry, left all grace, Ashes in death's stern alembic, loosed elixir in its place. LA SAISIAZ. 22. Washington, 1732; Lowell, 1819. No more spreads wasted, than falls scant : Of beauty, in this life. But through Life pierce- and what has earth to do, With the requirements of next stage? 23. Händel, 1685. EASTER-DAY. But priests Should study passion; how else cure mankind, Who come for help in passionate extremes? THE RING AND THE BOOK. 24. George William Curtis, 1824. Wholly distrust they knowledge, then, and trust As wholly love allied to ignorance ! There lies thy truth and safety. Love is praise, And praise is love! FERISHTAH'S FANCIES. 25. Sir Christopher Wren died, 1723. Each chooses, none gainsays The fancy of his fellow, a paradise for him, A hell for all beside. You can but crown the brim O'the cup; if it be full, what matters less or more? FIFINE AT THE FAIR. 26. Victor Hugo, 1802. Never enough faith in omnipotence - In impuissance, man's - which turns to strength When once acknowledged weakness every way. FERISHTAH'S FANCIES. 27. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807. Because a man has shop to mind In time and place, since flesh must live, All stray thoughts, fancies fugitive, 28. Michel de Montaigne, 1533. Once the verse laid on shelf, SHOP. The picture turned to wall, the music fled from Each beauty, born of each, grows clearer and more clear, Mine henceforth, ever mine! 29. Rossini, 1792. FIFINE AT THE FAIR. How soon a smile of God can change the world! How are we made for happiness - how work Grows play, adversity a winning fight ! IN A BALCONY. |