John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 479
William Wordsworth. (1770–1850) (continued) |
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The monumental pomp of age Was with this goodly personage; A stature undepressed in size, Unbent, which rather seemed to rise In open victory o’er the weight Of seventy years, to loftier height. |
The White Doe of Rylstone. Canto iii. |
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“What is good for a bootless bene?” With these dark words begins my tale; And their meaning is, Whence can comfort spring When prayer is of no avail? |
Force of Prayer. |
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A few strong instincts, and a few plain rules. |
Alas! what boots the long laborious Quest? |
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Of blessed consolations in distress. |
Preface to the Excursion. (Edition, 1814.) |
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The vision and the faculty divine; Yet wanting the accomplishment of verse. |
The Excursion.Book i. |
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The imperfect offices of prayer and praise. |
The Excursion.Book i. |
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That mighty orb of song, The divine Milton. |
The Excursion.Book i. |
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The good die first, 1 And they whose hearts are dry as summer dust Burn to the socket. |
The Excursion.Book i. |
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This dull product of a scoffer’s pen. |
The Excursion.Book ii. |
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With battlements that on their restless fronts Bore stars. |
The Excursion.Book ii. |
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Wisdom is ofttimes nearer when we stoop Than when we soar. |
The Excursion.Book iii. |
Note 1. Heaven gives its favourites—early death.—Lord Byron: Childe Harold, canto iv. stanza 102. Also Don Juan, canto iv. stanza 12. Quem Di diligunt Adolescens moritur (He whom the gods favor dies in youth). Plautus: Bacchides, act iv. sc. 7. [back] |