John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
3234 Joseph Addison 1672-1719 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 3234 |
| AUTHOR: | Joseph Addison (1672–1719) |
| QUOTATION: | I ’m weary of conjectures,—this must end ’em. Thus am I doubly armed: my death and life, My bane and antidote, are both before me: This in a moment brings me to an end; But this informs me I shall never die. The soul, secured in her existence, smiles At the drawn dagger, and defies its point. The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years; But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, 1 Unhurt amidst the war of elements, The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds. |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Cato. Act v. Sc. 1. |
| Note 1. Smiling always with a never fading serenity of countenance, and flourishing in an immortal youth.—Isaac Barrow (1630–1677): Duty of Thanksgiving, Works, vol. i. p. 66. [back] |