I never look backwards. I have always been an athlete. I boxed before I acted.
quote by Mickey Rourke
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Related quotes
Ch 03 On The Excellence Of Contentment Story 28
It is related that an athlete had been reduced to the greatest distress by adverse fortune. His throat being capacious and his hands unable to fill it, he complained to his father and asked him for permission to travel as he hoped to be hoped to be able to gain a livelihood by the strength of his arm.
Excellence and skill are lost unless exhibited.
Lignum aloes is placed on fire and musk rubbed.
The father replied: ‘My son, get rid of this vain idea and place the feet of contentment under the skirt of safety because great men have said that happiness does not consist in exertion and that the remedy against want is in the moderation of desires.
No one can grasp the skirt of luck by force.
It is useless to put vasmah on a bald man’s brow.
If thou hast two hundred accomplishments for each hair of thy head
They will be of no use if fortune is unpropitious.
What can an athlete do with adverse luck?
The arm of luck is better than the arm of strength.
The son rejoined: ‘Father, the advantages of travel are many, such as recreation of the mind entailing profit, seeing of wonderful and hearing of strange things, recreation in cities, associating with friends, acquisition of dignity, rank, property, the power of discriminating among acquaintances and gaining experience of the world, as the travellers in the Tariqat have said:
As long as thou walkest about the shop or the house
Thou wilt never become a man, 0 raw fellow.
Go and travel in the world
Before that day when thou goest from the world.’
The father replied: ‘My son, the advantages of travel such as thou hast enumerated them are countless but they regard especially five classes of men: firstly, a merchant who possesses in consequence of his wealth and power graceful male and female slaves and quick-handed assistants, alights every day in another town and every night in another place, has recreation every moment and sometimes enjoys the delights of the world.’
A rich man is not a stranger in mountain, desert or solitude.
Wherever he goes he pitches a tent and makes a sleeping place;
Whilst he who is destitute of the goods of this world
Must be in his own country a stranger and unknown.
Secondly, a scholar, who is for the pleasantness of his speech, the power of his eloquence and the fund of his instruction, waited upon and honoured wherever he goes.
The presence of a learned man is like pure gold
Whose power and price is known wherever he goes.
An ignorant fellow of noble descent resembles Shahrua,
Which nobody accepts in a foreign country.
Thirdly, handsome fellows with whom the souls of pious men are inclined to commingle because it has been said that a little beauty is better than much wealth. An attractive face is also said to be a slave to despondent hearts and the key to locked doors, wherefore the society of such a person is everywhere known to be very acceptable:
A beautiful person meets with honour and respect everywhere
Although perhaps driven away in anger by father and mother.
I have seen a peacock feather in the leaves of the Quran.
I said: ‘I see thy position is higher than thy deserts.’
It said: ‘Hush, whoever is endowed with beauty,
Wherever he places his foot, hands are held out to receive it.’
When a boy is symmetrical and heart-robbing
It matters not if his father disowns him.
He is a jewel which must not remain in a shell.
A precious pearl everyone desires to buy.
Fourthly, one with a sweet voice, who retains, with a David-like throat, water from flowing and birds from soaring. By means of this talent he holds the hearts of people captive and religious men are delighted to associate with him.
[...] Read more
Futurism
Ignorance pulls
Apostasy and apathy still rules
Yeah you know it's cool
Just suck and see
A future turn us into silent gods
And I won't miss you at all
Grounded
Boxed in
Like the evil in your veins
Grounded
Boxed in
I am stuck with you
Fate can't decide
Alignment of the planets in your hands
Come on crush our plans
Just suck and see
A future that won't let you disagree
And I won't miss you at all
Grounded
Boxed in
Like the evil in your veins
Grounded
Boxed in
Feeling feeling everything
Feeling feeling everything
song performed by Muse
Added by Lucian Velea
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S-e-x-x-y
Dressed only in clothes
From her head to her toes
This is the way
The talking part goes
S-e-x-x-y
More than enough
Around the clock with nobody else
S-e-x-x-y
There she is
Standing on the bed
Cookie in one hand, wig on her head
S-e-x-x-y
X because its extra baby
Y because its extra baby
Unnoticed by few
Very very few
And that includes you
Look inside your mind
Look inside your eye
Secret agent spy, come to see why
S-e-x-x-y
One finger nail
Across your back
Babys first gold tooth initials inscribed
S-e-x-x-y
X because its extra baby
Y because its extra baby
You gotta understand
She wants to be your man
Shes got another plan
Notes
The infamous warren rigg microwave remix goes as follows:
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y s-e-x-x-y
S-e-x-x-y s-e-x-x-y
[...] Read more
song performed by They Might Be Giants
Added by Lucian Velea
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Dixie's Land
1 I wish I was in de land ob cotton,
2 Old times dar am not forgotten;
3 Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land!
4 In Dixie Land whar I was born in,
5 Early on one frosty mornin,
6 Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land!
7 Den I wish I was in Dixie! Hooray! Hooray!
8 In Dixie's Land we'll take our stand, to lib an' die in Dixie.
9 Away! away! away down South in Dixie.
10 Away! away! away down south in Dixie.
11 Ole missus marry 'Will-de-weaber';
12 Willum was a gay deceaber;
13 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land!
14 But when he put his arm around her,
15 He smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder;
16 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land!
17 Den I wish I was in Dixie! Hooray! Hooray!
18 In Dixie's Land we'll take our stand, to lib an' die in Dixie.
19 Away! away! away down South in Dixie.
20 Away! away! away down south in Dixie.
21 His face was sharp as a butcher's cleaber;
22 But dat did not seem to greab her;
23 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land!
24 Ole missus acted de foolish part,
25 And died for a man dat broke her heart;
26 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land!
27 Den I wish I was in Dixie! Hooray! Hooray!
28 In Dixie's Land we'll take our stand, to lib an' die in Dixie.
29 Away! away! away down South in Dixie.
30 Away! away! away down south in Dixie.
31 Now here's health to de next ole missus,
32 An' all the gals dat want to kiss us;
33 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land!
34 But if you want to drive 'way sorrow,
35 Come and hear dis song tomorrow;
36 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land!
37 Den I wish I was in Dixie! Hooray! Hooray!
38 In Dixie's Land we'll take our stand, to lib an' die in Dixie.
39 Away! away! away down South in Dixie.
40 Away! away! away down south in Dixie.
41 Dar's buckwheat cakes an' Injin batter,
42 Makes you fat or a little fatter;
[...] Read more
poem by Daniel Decatur Emmett
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Jim Thorpe
Born in May of Eighteen eighty-eight
Though the birth record is obscure
In Oklahoma, in a one room cabin
With brother Charlie, of that we're sure.
His father, Hiram, was a farmer
Mother, Mary James, a Pottawatomie
Descendant of the Chief, Black Hawk
A Warrior with an athletic history.
His Indian name of Wa-Tho-Huk
Translated meaning of “Bright Path”
As his future really seemed to be
Before the typical white man's wrath.
His twin brother passed away at nine
Then in the year, Nineteen, ought four
He attended the Carlisle Indian School
Where he learned football, track, and more.
Trained by legend, Glenn “Pop” Warner
Who had the unique insight to see
The young phenomenon evolving
Into, the great athlete, he would be.
All-American in Nineteen 0-nine
And soon, on the Olympic Team
Sailing across the sea to Sweden
The answer to many-a-youngster's dream.
He trained on board on the journey
And he must have done it very well
For he blew away his competitors
That's what, long lasting records tell.
In the Pentathlon and Decathlon
He won a Gold Medal in each
And it seemed any goal he went for
For him, would be an easy reach.
Gustav, the King of Sweden said it best
After the Nineteen twelve Olympics
“Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world.”
After witnessing, Thorpe's sporting epics.
And, not one to stand on ceremony
That sometimes, great success can bring
He answered, honestly and simply
As they shook hands, and said, “Thanks, King.”
[...] Read more
poem by Abe Jones
Added by Poetry Lover
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Take A Look
I don't know what you're after
Wannna know all the details of my disaster
Like an accident on the side of the road
When you're driving past slow but there's nothing to see here
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
I'm some kind of freak now and
You'll never see me the same
What's all the fuss about?
Are you sure you wanna find out?
Cause once you know the truth
You might wish you'd walked away
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
What if I'm not able
To put my cards on the table?
And would it liberate you
If you knew what I knew?
It's been over a year now and
I never saw him again
The facts and the fiction
Collide as the bodies untangle
And the traffic moves on like it did
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
Wanna take a look, take a look
song performed by Liz Phair
Added by Lucian Velea
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Look Who's Dancing
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now
Look who's dancing
oh look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now
Well, first the dance floor
was like a forbidden land
where people would never dare to go
but now everyone's doing it
I said it's a dance galore
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now
Look who's dancing
oh look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now
And some are dancing on their feet
some are jumping off the floor
and look at old Granny "B"
she got the, she caught the, she knows the groove for sure
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now, right around
Look who's dancing
who is dancing
Look who's dancing now, get on the floor
(groove section)
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now, around the world
Look who's dancing
oh look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now
And some are dancing on their feet
some are jumping off the floor
and look at old Tauter him
he got the, he got the, he got the, he got the beat for sure
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing
Look who's dancing now
Look who's dancing
check the dancing
Look who's dancing now, get on the floor
(groove section)
Do the ska, the rock steady, the ridim and blues
and if you catch them, then you do the della move
it nuh mek nuh sense to sit down, when you know you can goove
any type of danve you do, you neither win or lose
And if your choice is reggae, you don't need nuh dancing shoes
[...] Read more
song performed by Ziggy Marley
Added by Lucian Velea
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To An African Child Starving To Death
(References to the nightingale and the Grecian urn are to the two wonderful odes by Keats, and the athlete dying young recalls the lovely poem by Housman) .
.....................................
You unprepossessing brat!
You are no nightingale, no Grecian urn,
not even any athlete dying young -
ah, dying young perhaps, but you never were
an athlete, never strove,
never achieved,
never broke
any records, nor, I suppose,
any hearts that might mourn for you,
except perhaps for your mother,
who sits there dumbly with sagging breasts
waiting for you to die, staring vacantly
from no past that could ever be celebrated
towards no future in the burning sands.
God curse the fate that brought me here
to have to write an ode for such as you,
unmemorable, already unremembered
even before you are dead!
to write in such a horrid spot
revolting in its barrenness and heat
that never ends -
that brings no peace ever -
that brings no poetic thoughts -
no inspiration -
nothing but dull, prosaic perspiration
which I must wipe from my brow
as you stare at me
with those damned eyes -
the eyes of the damned -
the innumerable damned -
and what am I to do?
I would rather look past you
than see those hollow eyes
and sunken cheeks again;
but all I see is your mother close to you
sitting wordlessly
as it were in reproach -
but what am I to do?
I had a mother too, you know -
she is dead now,
as, no doubt, you also soon will be
and no doubt your mother too.
She would look -
she would look like that
[...] Read more
poem by Rory Hudson
Added by Poetry Lover
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The Look
1, 2, 3, 4
Walking like a man
Hitting like a hammer
Shes a juvenile scam
Never was a quitter
Tasty like a raindrop
Shes got the look
Heavenly bound
Cause heavens got a number
When shes spinning me around
Kissing is a colour
Her loving is a wild dog
Shes got the look
Shes got the look, -shes got the look-
Shes got the look, -shes got the look-
What in the world can make a brown-eyed girl turn blue
When everything Ill ever do, Ill do for you
And I go: la la la la la
Shes got the look
Fire in the ice
Naked to the t-bone
Is a lovers disguise
Banging on the head drum
Shaking like a mad bull
Shes got the look
Swaying to the band
Moving like a hammer
Shes a miracle man
Loving is the ocean
Kissing is the wet sand
Shes got the look
Shes got the look, -shes got the look-
Shes got the look, -shes got the look-
What in the world can make a brown-eyed girl turn blue
When everything Ill ever do, Ill do for you
And I go: la la la la la
Shes got the look
Walking like a man
Hitting like a hammer
Shes a juvenile scam
Never was a quitter
Tasty like a raindrop
Shes got the look
And she goes:
Na na na na na,
Na na na na na na,
Na na na na na,
Na na na na na na,
Na na na na na na na na,
Shes got the look
[...] Read more
song performed by Roxette
Added by Lucian Velea
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The Troubadour. Canto 2
THE first, the very first; oh! none
Can feel again as they have done;
In love, in war, in pride, in all
The planets of life's coronal,
However beautiful or bright,--
What can be like their first sweet light?
When will the youth feel as he felt,
When first at beauty's feet he knelt?
As if her least smile could confer
A kingdom on its worshipper;
Or ever care, or ever fear
Had cross'd love's morning hemisphere.
And the young bard, the first time praise
Sheds its spring sunlight o'er his lays,
Though loftier laurel, higher name,
May crown the minstrel's noontide fame,
They will not bring the deep content
Of his lure's first encouragement.
And where the glory that will yield
The flush and glow of his first field
To the young chief? Will RAYMOND ever
Feel as he now is feeling?--Never.
The sun wept down or ere they gain'd
The glen where the chief band remain'd.
It was a lone and secret shade,
As nature form'd an ambuscade
For the bird's nest and the deer's lair,
Though now less quiet guests were there.
On one side like a fortress stood
A mingled pine and chesnut wood;
Autumn was falling, but the pine
Seem'd as it mock'd all change; no sign
Of season on its leaf was seen,
The same dark gloom of changeless green.
But like the gorgeous Persian bands
'Mid the stern race of northern lands,
The chesnut boughs were bright with all
That gilds and mocks the autumn's fall.
Like stragglers from an army's rear
Gradual they grew, near and less near,
Till ample space was left to raise,
Amid the trees, the watch-fire's blaze;
And there, wrapt in their cloaks around,
The soldiers scatter'd o'er the ground.
[...] Read more
poem by Letitia Elizabeth Landon
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Don't Look Back
How does it feel up there
breathing in the fine air
You can't look down
but you do not care
when every face knows
the lonely place you've become
And you can dream up there
with your soul laid bare
and close your eyes
on the life you share
and you can pretend that it won't mean a thing
when it's gone
Cuz now you see
you're so good looking
you should be on TV
but now you're on the radio
don't look back
don't look back
when you hear me calling
don't look back
don't look back
don't look back
don't look back
when you hear me calling
don't look back
don't look back
How does it feel up there
breathing in the fine air
you can't look down
but you do not care
when every face knows
the lonely place you've become
And you can dream up there
with your soul laid bare
and close your eyes
on the life that you share
and you can pretend that it won't mean a thing
when it's gone
cuz now you see
you're so good looking
you should be on tv
but now you're on the radio
[...] Read more
song performed by Nine Days from So Happily Unsatisfied
Added by Lucian Velea
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The Look Of Love
When your world is full of strange arrangements
And gravity wont pull you through
You know youre missing out on something
Well that something depends on you
All Im saying, it takes a lot to love you
All Im doing, you know its true
All I mean now, theres one thing
Yes one thing that turns this grey sky to blue
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
When your girl has left you out on the pavement (goodbye)
Then your dreams fall apart at the seams
Your reason for livings your reason for leaving
Dont ask me what it means
Whos got the look? I dont know the answer to that question
Wheres the look? if I knew I would tell you
Whats the look? look for your information
Yes theres one thing, the one thing that still holds true
(whats that? )
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
If you judge a book by the cover,
Then youd judge the look by the lover
I hope youll soon recover,
Me I go from one extreme to another
And though my friends just might ask me
They say martin maybe one day youll find true love
I say maybe, there must be a solution
To the one thing, the one thing, we cant find
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
Thats the look, thats the look
Sisters and brothers
Should help each other
Oh, oh, oh
Heavens above
Thats the look, thats the look, hip hip hooray, ay
Thats the look, thats the look, yippee ai yippee aiay
Thats the look, thats the look
Be lucky in love
Look of love
song performed by Abc
Added by Lucian Velea
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Dont Look Back
How does it feel up there
Breathing in the fine air
You cant look down
But you do not care
When every face knows
The lonely place youve become
And you can dream up there
With your soul laid bare
And close your eyes
On the life you share
And you can pretend that it wont mean a thing
When its gone
Cuz now you see
Youre so good looking
You should be on tv
But now youre on the radio
Dont look back
Dont look back
When you hear me calling
Dont look back
Dont look back
Dont look back
Dont look back
When you hear me calling
Dont look back
Dont look back
How does it feel up there
Breathing in the fine air
You cant look down
But you do not care
When every face knows
The lonely place youve become
And you can dream up there
With your soul laid bare
And close your eyes
On the life that you share
And you can pretend that it wont mean a thing
When its gone
Cuz now you see
Youre so good looking
You should be on tv
But now youre on the radio
Dont look back
Dont look back
When you hear me calling
Dont look back
Dont look back
Dont look back
Dont look back
When you hear me calling
[...] Read more
song performed by Nine Days
Added by Lucian Velea
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Eyes Across the Sky
(Look up, look with your eyes across the sky -
Any pair of eyes will do!)
Look up – look with your eyes across the sky.
Look up – look with your eyes across the sky.
Look up (see all the magic there on high)
Look up see the summer sun shining
Look up (to all the clouds there going by)
Look up see how they drift in timeless timing.
Eyes across the sky
Are waiting to meet another new day,
Waiting to meet another new day.
Look up – look with your eyes across the sky.
Look up – look with your eyes across the sky.
Look up (for imaginations you desire)
Look up see the summer sun shining.
Look up (to contact the clouds higher)
Look up see the summer sun shining.
Eyes across the sky
Are waiting to meet another new day,
Waiting to meet another new day.
(Across the sky)
Everybody... your eyes across the sky,
Look up – look with your eyes across the sky,
Look up (see all the magic there on high)
Look up see the summer sun shining.
Look up (to all the clouds there going by)
Look up see how they drift in timeless timing.
Eyes across the sky
Are waiting to meet another new day,
Waiting to meet another new day.
Eyes across the sky
Are flying in a fantasy play,
Flying in a fantasy play
Now and forever – today.
Today!
poem by Peter S. Quinn
Added by Poetry Lover
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A Boy Growing Up In The Sixties
Played football
played marbles
played cricket
played truant.
First girl
first kiss
first fumble
first slap.
Drank orange
drank Cola
drank lemonade
drank beer.
Acted tough
acted silly
acted up
acted the fool.
Just young
just a boy
just a lad
just me.
The sixties
The Beatles
The Stones
The Who.
Great days
great times
great decade
Great Britain.
poem by Kevin Halls
Added by Poetry Lover
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Hear Me Out
Im sorry, baby. I didnt mean to do what I did.
I mean, it just happened so fast, you know?
I woke up out of the situation.
And I was like, mike, you dont even need to go out like this.
And thats why Im calling you, you know?
Just listen to me.
Hear me out, girl. hear me out, girl.
My apologies for breaking your heart.
Hear me out, girl. hear me out, girl.
My apologies for breaking your heart.
Ooh, at home all alone thinking to my self
What a fool I was for letting you go (letting you go).
If I could re-wind the hands of time,
Id take back every word that made you cry (dont cry).
I know I acted kind of crazy (I know I acted kind of crazy).
I need you now to understand me (please understand me).
Hear me out, girl. hear me out, girl.
My apologies for breaking your heart.
Hear me out, girl. hear me out, girl.
My apologies for breaking your heart.
Well, now is the time for us to realize how much we mean to each other, girl (to each other, girl).
Just dont walk away. thats much too easy.
Im begging you to stay (stay).
I know I acted kind of crazy (I know I acted kind of crazy).
I need you now to understand me (please understand me).
Hear me out, girl. hear me out, girl.
My apologies for breaking your heart. (you know Ill get down on my knees and say...)
Hear me out, girl. hear me out, girl.
My apologies for breaking your heart...
{fade--}
song performed by New Edition
Added by Lucian Velea
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Our Love Was Is
Our love was ...
Our love was ...
Our love was famine, frustration
Our love was famine, frustration
We only acted out an imitation
We only acted out an imitation
Of what real love should have been
Of what real love should have been
Then suddenly ...
Then suddenly ...
Our love was flying
Our love was flying
Our love was soaring
Our love was soaring
Our love was shining
Our love was shining
Like a summer morning
Like a summer morning
Flying, soaring
Flying, soaring
Shining morning
Shining morning
Never leaving
Never leaving
Lying, dying
Lying, dying
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
[...] Read more
song performed by Who
Added by Lucian Velea
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An Oscar Award in Heaven
She had acted all her life
as mother, daughter and wife
She faked pleasure, when there was none;
She feigned gusto, when zest was gone.
She smiled at people, she would like to kill;
She scoffed at charmer, who gave her thrill.
She obeyed her boss, she longed to rebel
She served the persons, She desired in hell.
Thus she acted happy all her life,
In her world full of pain and strife.
At last her journey ended
And in heaven her soul landed.
In the heaven there was Oscar giving ceremony
And on Hollywood actress, all bet their money.
But as usual, Man proposes and God disposes
So actress lost and she won Oscar with roses.
God Announced: “Actress acted only in movies,
But she acted when her life was scarred,
Her acting is really thrilling and groovy,
So not the actress but she deserves Oscar.'
Dr Hitesh C Sheth
19 /07/2010
poem by Hitesh Sheth
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The Loves of the Angels
'Twas when the world was in its prime,
When the fresh stars had just begun
Their race of glory and young Time
Told his first birth-days by the sun;
When in the light of Nature's dawn
Rejoicing, men and angels met
On the high hill and sunny lawn,-
Ere sorrow came or Sin had drawn
'Twixt man and heaven her curtain yet!
When earth lay nearer to the skies
Than in these days of crime and woe,
And mortals saw without surprise
In the mid-air angelic eyes
Gazing upon this world below.
Alas! that Passion should profane
Even then the morning of the earth!
That, sadder still, the fatal stain
Should fall on hearts of heavenly birth-
And that from Woman's love should fall
So dark a stain, most sad of all!
One evening, in that primal hour,
On a hill's side where hung the ray
Of sunset brightening rill and bower,
Three noble youths conversing lay;
And, as they lookt from time to time
To the far sky where Daylight furled
His radiant wing, their brows sublime
Bespoke them of that distant world-
Spirits who once in brotherhood
Of faith and bliss near ALLA stood,
And o'er whose cheeks full oft had blown
The wind that breathes from ALLA'S throne,
Creatures of light such as still play,
Like motes in sunshine, round the Lord,
And thro' their infinite array
Transmit each moment, night and day,
The echo of His luminous word!
Of Heaven they spoke and, still more oft,
Of the bright eyes that charmed them thence;
Till yielding gradual to the soft
And balmy evening's influence-
The silent breathing of the flowers-
The melting light that beamed above,
As on their first, fond, erring hours,-
Each told the story of his love,
The history of that hour unblest,
When like a bird from its high nest
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poem by Thomas Moore
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V. Count Guido Franceschini
Thanks, Sir, but, should it please the reverend Court,
I feel I can stand somehow, half sit down
Without help, make shift to even speak, you see,
Fortified by the sip of … why, 't is wine,
Velletri,—and not vinegar and gall,
So changed and good the times grow! Thanks, kind Sir!
Oh, but one sip's enough! I want my head
To save my neck, there's work awaits me still.
How cautious and considerate … aie, aie, aie,
Nor your fault, sweet Sir! Come, you take to heart
An ordinary matter. Law is law.
Noblemen were exempt, the vulgar thought,
From racking; but, since law thinks otherwise,
I have been put to the rack: all's over now,
And neither wrist—what men style, out of joint:
If any harm be, 't is the shoulder-blade,
The left one, that seems wrong i' the socket,—Sirs,
Much could not happen, I was quick to faint,
Being past my prime of life, and out of health.
In short, I thank you,—yes, and mean the word.
Needs must the Court be slow to understand
How this quite novel form of taking pain,
This getting tortured merely in the flesh,
Amounts to almost an agreeable change
In my case, me fastidious, plied too much
With opposite treatment, used (forgive the joke)
To the rasp-tooth toying with this brain of mine,
And, in and out my heart, the play o' the probe.
Four years have I been operated on
I' the soul, do you see—its tense or tremulous part—
My self-respect, my care for a good name,
Pride in an old one, love of kindred—just
A mother, brothers, sisters, and the like,
That looked up to my face when days were dim,
And fancied they found light there—no one spot,
Foppishly sensitive, but has paid its pang.
That, and not this you now oblige me with,
That was the Vigil-torment, if you please!
The poor old noble House that drew the rags
O' the Franceschini's once superb array
Close round her, hoped to slink unchallenged by,—
Pluck off these! Turn the drapery inside out
And teach the tittering town how scarlet wears!
Show men the lucklessness, the improvidence
Of the easy-natured Count before this Count,
The father I have some slight feeling for,
Who let the world slide, nor foresaw that friends
Then proud to cap and kiss their patron's shoe,
Would, when the purse he left held spider-webs,
Properly push his child to wall one day!
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poem by Robert Browning from The Ring and the Book
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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