Pure water is the best of gifts that man to man can bring,
But who am I that I read more

Pure water is the best of gifts that man to man can bring,
But who am I that I should have the best of anything?
Let princes revel at the pump, let peers with ponds make free,
Whisky, or wine, or even beer is good enough for me.

Water its living strength first shows,
When obstacles its course oppose.

Water its living strength first shows,
When obstacles its course oppose.

O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
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O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!
Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wracks;
A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon;
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,
All scatt'red in the bottom of the sea:
Some lay in dead men's skulls, and in the holes
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept
(As 'twere in scorn of eyes) reflecting gems,
That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep
And mocked the dead bones that lay scatt'red by.

With true friends . . . even water drunk together is sweet enough.

With true friends . . . even water drunk together is sweet enough.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view.
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How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view.
. . . .
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket, which hung in the well.

It is wretched business to be digging a well just as thirst is
mastering you.
[Lat., Miserum est read more

It is wretched business to be digging a well just as thirst is
mastering you.
[Lat., Miserum est opus,
Igitur demum fodere puteum, ubi sitis fauces tedet.]

I'm very fond of water:
It ever must delight
Each mother's son and daughter,--
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I'm very fond of water:
It ever must delight
Each mother's son and daughter,--
When qualified aright.

The cure for anything is salt water -- sweat, tears, or the sea.

The cure for anything is salt water -- sweat, tears, or the sea.