My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have read more

My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have given:
And trod the mountain height,
Where Science, young and bright,
Scans with poetic gaze the midnight-heaven.
Yet have I found no power to vie
With thine, severe necessity!

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.
[It., Necessita c'induce, e non diletto.]

It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.
[It., Necessita c'induce, e non diletto.]

He who would eat the kernel, must crack the shell.
[Lat., Qui e nuce nucleum esse vult, frangat nucem.]

He who would eat the kernel, must crack the shell.
[Lat., Qui e nuce nucleum esse vult, frangat nucem.]

Necessity knows no law except to conquer.

Necessity knows no law except to conquer.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

The chalice is ephemeral.
Jesus' blood eternal.

The chalice is ephemeral.
Jesus' blood eternal.

So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deed.

So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deed.

Make yourself necessary to somebody.

Make yourself necessary to somebody.