Books and Habits, from the Lectures of Lafcadio Hearn, Selected and Edited with an Introd. by John Erskine

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Dodd, Mead, 1921 - English literature - 328 pages

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Page 46 - BRIGHT star ! would I were steadfast as thou art— Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night. And watching, with eternal lids apart. Like Nature's patient sleepless Eremite, The moving waters at their priestlike task Of pure ablution round earth's human shores...
Page 19 - Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might; Smote the chord of Self, that, trembling, pass'd in music out of sight.
Page 225 - Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind, To war and arms I fly. True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield. Yet this inconstancy is such As you too shall adore; I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honour more.
Page 61 - And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A being breathing thoughtful breath, A traveller...
Page 62 - SHE walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies ; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes : Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
Page 102 - Set me as a seal upon thine heart, As a seal upon thine arm : For love is strong as death; Jealousy is cruel as the grave: The coals thereof are coals of fire, Which hath a most vehement flame.
Page 181 - The poetry of earth is never dead: When all the birds are faint with the hot Sun, And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead. That is the grasshopper's...
Page 176 - Busy, curious, thirsty fly ! Drink with me, and drink as I ! Freely welcome to my cup, Couldst thou sip and sip it up : Make the most of life you may ; Life is short and wears away ! Both alike are mine and thine, Hastening quick to their decline ! Thine's a summer, mine no more, Though repeated to threescore ! Threescore summers when they're gone, Will appear as short as one...
Page 268 - Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Page 202 - Yet hark ! how through the peopled air The busy murmur glows ! The insect youth are on the wing, Eager to taste the honied spring And float amid the liquid noon ; Some lightly o'er the current skim, Some show their gaily-gilded trim Quick -glancing to the sun.

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