Yes, as everyone knows, meditation
and water are wedded forever...
-Herman Melville,
Moby-Dick, 1851
|
Vain Expectations
When I (whom sullen care, Through discontent of my long fruitless stay In princes' court, and expectation vain Of idle hopes, which still do fly away Like empty shadows, did afflict my brain) Walked forth to ease my pain Along the shore of silver-streaming Thames; -Edmund Spenser (c.1552-1599), Prothalamion |
|
New Mission
My fugitive years are all hasting away, And I must ere long lie as lowly as they, With a turf on my breast, and a stone at my head, Ere another such grove shall arise in its stead. -William Cowper (1731-1800), The Poplar Field |
|
Secret Joy
Thou joy'st in better marks, of soil, of air, Of wood, of water; therein thou art fair. -Ben Johnson (1572-1637), To Penshurst |