The English, a spirited nation, claim the empire of the sea; the
French, a calmer nation, claim that of read more

The English, a spirited nation, claim the empire of the sea; the
French, a calmer nation, claim that of the air.
[Fr., Les Anglais, nation trop fiere
S'arrogent l'empire des mers;
Les Francais, nation legere,
S'emparent de celui des airs.]

Indeed, whenever a new idea is developed, as for example ballooning, warfare immediately takes possession.rn

Indeed, whenever a new idea is developed, as for example ballooning, warfare immediately takes possession.rn

When I behold what pleasure is Pursuit,
What life, what glorious eagerness it is,
Then mark how read more

When I behold what pleasure is Pursuit,
What life, what glorious eagerness it is,
Then mark how full Possession falls from this,
How fairer seems the blossom than the fruit,--
I am perplext, and often stricken mute.
Wondering which attained the higher bliss,
The wing'd insect, or the chrysalis
It thrust aside with unreluctant foot.

Providence has given to the French the empire of the land, to the
English that of the sea, to read more

Providence has given to the French the empire of the land, to the
English that of the sea, to the Germans that of--the air!

It may be said of them [the Hollanders], as of the Spaniards,
that the sun never sets upon their read more

It may be said of them [the Hollanders], as of the Spaniards,
that the sun never sets upon their Dominions.

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have
abundance: but from him that hath read more

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have
abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even
that which he hath.

The proud daughter of that monarch to whom when it grows
[elsewhere] the sun never sets.
[Lat., Altera read more

The proud daughter of that monarch to whom when it grows
[elsewhere] the sun never sets.
[Lat., Altera figlia
Di quel monarea a cui
Ne anco, quando annotta, il Sol tramonta.]

Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
read more

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
And a few Friends, and many Books both true,
Both wise, and both delightful too.
And since Love ne'er will from me flee,
A mistress moderately fair,
And good as Guardian angels are,
Only belov'd and loving me.