William Watson (poet)

"And, though circuitous and obscure, The feet of Nemesis how sure!"

"April, April, Laugh thy girlish laughter; Then, the moment after, Weep thy girlish tears!"

"The Poet gathers fruit from every tree, Yea, grapes from thorns and figs from thistles he. Pluck'd by his hand, the basest weed that grows Towers to a lily, reddens to a rose."

"Man looks at his own bliss, considers it, Weighs it with curious fingers; and 'tis gone."

"God, by the earlier sceptic, was exiled; The later is more lenient grown and mild: He sanctions God, provided you agree To any other name for deity."

"Flower-fondled, clasp'd in ivy's close caress, It seems with Nature, yet apart."

"To keep in sight Perfection, and adore The vision, is the artist's best delight; His bitterest pang, that he can ne'er do more Than keep her long'd-for loveliness in sight."

"His friends he loved. His fellest earthly foes— Cats—I believe he did but feign to hate. My hand will miss the insinuated nose, Mine eyes the tail that wagg'd contempt at Fate."

"Earth is less fragrant now, and heaven more sweet."

"Best they honour thee Who honour in thee only what is best."

"In this house with starry dome, Floored with gemlike plains and seas, Shall I never feel at home, Never wholly be at ease?On from room to room I stray, Yet mine Host can ne’er espy, And I know not to this day Whether guest or captive I."

"Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness."

"O be less beautiful, or be less brief."

"O ye by wandering tempest sown Neath every alien star, Forget not whence the breath was blown That wafted you afar! For ye are still her ancient seed On younger soil let fall— Children of Britain’s island-breed, To whom the Mother in her need Perchance may one day call."

"Empires dissolve and peoples disappear, Song passes not away."

"The after-silence, when the feast is o'er, And void the places where the minstrels stood, Differs in nought from what hath been before, And is nor ill nor good."

"The votes of veering crowds are not The things that are more excellent."

"The stars of heaven are free because In amplitude of liberty Their joy is to obey the laws."

"The thirst to know and understand— A large and liberal discontent: These are the goods in life's rich hand, The things that are more excellent."

"God on His throne is Eldest of poets: Unto His measures Moveth the Whole."

"Deemest thou, labour Only is earnest? Grave is all beauty, Solemn is joy."

"Ladies whose smile embroiled the world."

"Sea that breakest for ever, that breakest and never art broken."

"Braying of arrogant brass, whimper of querulous reeds."