Great Throughts Treasury

"Among them, but not of them."

"An exile, saddest of all prisoners, who has the whole world for a dungeon strong, seas, mountains, and the horizon's verge for bars."

"An old man with an old soul, and both extremely blind."

"An infant when it gazes on a light, A child the moment when it drains the breast, A devotee when soars the Host in sight, An Arab with a stranger for a guest, A sailor when the prize has struck in fight, A miser filling his most hoarded chest, Feel rapture; but not such true joy are reaping As they who watch o'er what they love while sleeping."

"And all may think which way their judgments lead 'em."

"And a firm will, and a deep sense, which even in torture can descry its own concenter'd recompense, triumphant where it dares defy"

"And all that's best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes."

"And after all, what is a lie? 'T is but the truth in masquerade."

"And be the Spartan's epitaph on me-- "Sparta hath many a worthier son than he.""

"And Coleridge, too, has lately taken wing, but, like a hawk encumbered with his hood, explaining metaphysics to the nation – I wish he would explain his explanation."

"And angling too, that solitary vice, what Izaak Walton sings or says: The quaint, old, cruel coxcomb, in his gullet should have a hook, and a small trout to pull it."

"And Doubt and Discord step twixt thine and thee."

"And both were young, and one was beautiful."

"And dreams in their development have breath, and tears, and tortures, and the touch of joy; they have a weight upon our waking thoughts, they take a weight from off our waking toils, they do divide our being."

"And gazed around them to the left and right with the prophetic eye of appetite."

"And glory long has made the sages smile; 'tis something, nothing, words, illusion, wind-- depending more upon the historian's style than on the name a person leaves behind."

"And having wisdom with each studious year, in meditation dwelt, with learning wrought, and shaped his weapon with an edge severe, sapping a solemn creed with solemn sneer."

"And her face so fair stirr'd with her dream, as rose-leaves with the air."

"And history with all her volumes vast, hath but one page."

"And hold up to the sun my little taper."

"And I would hear yet once before I perish The voice which was my music--Speak to me!"

"And I have loved them, Ocean! and my joy Of youthful sports was on thy breast to be Borne, like shy bubbles, onward; from a boy I wanton'd with thy breakers. . . . . And laid my hand upon thy mane--as I do here."

"And if I laugh at any mortal thing, 'tis that I may not weep."

"And mammon wins his way where seraphs might despair."

"And lovelier things have mercy shown to every failing but their own, and every woe a tear can claim except an erring sister's shame."

"And if we do but watch the hour, There never yet was human power Which could evade, if unforgiven, The patient search and vigil long Of him who treasures up a wrong."

"And nearer as they came, a genial savor of certain stews, and roast-meats, and pilaus. Things which in hungry mortals' eyes find favor."

"And o'er that fair broad brow were wrought The intersected lines of thought; Those furrows, which the burning share Of sorrow ploughs untimely there: Scars of the lacerating mind, Which the soul's war doth leave behind."

"And one by one in turn, some grand mistake casts off its bright skin yearly like the snake."

"And rash enthusiasm in good society were nothing but a moral inebriety."

"And the whole world would henceforth be a wider prison unto me."

"And then he danced;--all foreigners excel The serious Angles in the eloquence Of pantomime;--he danced, I say right well, With emphasis, and also with good sense-- A thing in footing indispensable: He danced without theatrical pretense, Not like a ballet-master in the van Of his drill'd nymphs, but like a gentleman."

"And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed, The mustering squadron, and the clattering car, Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, And swiftly forming in the ranks of war; And the deep thunder peal on peal, afar And near; the beat of the alarming drum Roused up the soldier ere the morning star; While throng'd the citizens with terror dumb, Or whispering with white lips--"The foe! they come! they come!""

"And they were canopied by the blue sky, so cloudless, clear, and purely beautiful that god alone was to be seen in heaven."

"And these vicissitudes come best in youth; for when they happen at a riper age, people are apt to blame the Fates, forsooth, and wonder Providence is not more sage. Adversity is the first path to truth: He who hath proved war, storm, or woman's rage, whether his winters be eighteen or eighty, has won experience which is deem'd so weighty."

"And though, as you remember, in a fit Of wrath and rhyme, when juvenile and curly, I railed at Scots to show my wrath and wit, Which must be owned was sensitive and surly, Yet 'tis in vain such sallies to permit, They cannot quench young feelings fresh and early: I "scotched, not killed" the Scotchman in my blood, And love the land of "mountain and of flood.""

"And thus the heart will break, yet brokenly live on."

"And those who saw, it did surprise, such drops could fall from human eyes."

"And to his eye there was but one beloved face on earth, and that was shining on him."

"And thou wert lovely to the last, extinguish'd, not decay'd; as stars that shoot along the sky shine brightest as they fall from high."

"And truant husband should return, and say, "My dear, I was the first who came away.""

"And what is writ, is writ, would it were worthier! But I am not now that which I have been."

"And whether coldness, pride, or virtue dignify A woman, so she's good, what does it signify?"

"And whispering, "I will ne'er consent," consented."

"And when we think we lead, we are most led."

"And yet a little tumult, now and then, is an agreeable quickener of sensation; such as a revolution, a battle, or an adventure of any lively description."

"Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead."

"And wrinkles (the damned democrats) won't flatter"

"And, after all, what is a lie? 'tis but the truth in a masquerade"

"Any port in a storm."