We were young, we were merry, we were very, very wise,
And the door stood open at our feast,
read more

We were young, we were merry, we were very, very wise,
And the door stood open at our feast,
When there passed us a woman with the West in her eyes,
And a man with his back to the East.

The things that have been and shall be no more,
The things that are, and that hereafter shall be,
read more

The things that have been and shall be no more,
The things that are, and that hereafter shall be,
The things that might have been, and yet were not,
The fading twilight of joys departed.

Pretty! in amber to observe the forms
Of hairs, of straws, or dirt, or grubs, or worms!
read more

Pretty! in amber to observe the forms
Of hairs, of straws, or dirt, or grubs, or worms!
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,
But wonder how the devil they got there.

If a man proves too clearly and convincingly to
himself . . . that a tiger is an optical read more

If a man proves too clearly and convincingly to
himself . . . that a tiger is an optical illusion--well, he will
find out he is wrong. The tiger will himself intervene in the
discussion, in a manner which will be in every sense conclusive.

Wonder [said Socrates] is very much the affection of a
philosopher; for there is no other beginning of philosophy read more

Wonder [said Socrates] is very much the affection of a
philosopher; for there is no other beginning of philosophy than
this.

O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

We nothing know, but what is marvellous;
Yet what is marvellous, we can't believe.

We nothing know, but what is marvellous;
Yet what is marvellous, we can't believe.

She swore, i' faith, 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange;
'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful.

She swore, i' faith, 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange;
'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful.

He shall have chariots easier than air,
That I will have invented; . . . And thyself,
read more

He shall have chariots easier than air,
That I will have invented; . . . And thyself,
That art the messenger, shalt ride before him
On a horse cut out of an entire diamond.
That shall be made to go with golden wheels,
I know not how yet.