Thomas Gray quotes - page 2

For who to dumb Forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing anxious being e'er resigned, Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, Nor cast one longing ling'ring look behind? (Thomas Gray)
Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade! Ah, fields beloved in vain! Where once my careless childhood stray'd, A stranger yet to pain! I feel the gales that from ye blow A momentary bliss bestow. View quote
Thomas Gray
Can storied urn, or animated bust Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust, Or Flatt'ry soothe the dull cold ear of Death? View quote
Thomas Gray
Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heav'n did a recompense as largely send: He gave to Mis'ry all he had, a tear, He gained from Heav'n ('twas all he wished) a friend. View quote
Thomas Gray
Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn. View quote
Thomas Gray
Ah, tell them they are men! View quote
Thomas Gray
Not all that tempts your wandering eyes And heedless hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all that glisters gold. View quote
Thomas Gray
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page Rich with the spoils of time did ne'er unroll; Chill Penury repressed their noble rage, And froze the genial current of the soul. View quote
Thomas Gray
Now as the Paradisiacal pleasures of the Mahometans consist in playing upon the flute and lying with Houris, be mine to read eternal new romances of Marivaux and Crebillon. View quote
Thomas Gray
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. View quote
Thomas Gray
Daughter of Jove, relentless power, Thou tamer of the human breast, Whose iron scourge and tort'ring hour The bad affright, afflict the best! (Thomas Gray)
Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude Forefathers of the hamlet sleep. View quote
Thomas Gray
Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear: Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. View quote
Thomas Gray
The applause of list'ning senates to command, The threats of pain and ruin to despise, To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land, And read their hist'ry in a nation's eyes. View quote
Thomas Gray
Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, Their sober wishes never learned to stray; Along the cool sequestered vale of life They kept the noiseless tenor of their way. View quote
Thomas Gray
No farther seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode, (There they alike in trembling hope repose,) The bosom of his Father and his God. View quote
Thomas Gray
Ruin seize thee, ruthless King! Confusion on thy banners wait, Though fanned by Conquest's crimson wing They mock the air with idle state. View quote
Thomas Gray
What female heart can gold despise? What cat's averse to fish? View quote
Thomas Gray
They hear a voice in every wind, And snatch a fearful joy. View quote
Thomas Gray
Ye towers of Julius, London's lasting shame, With many a foul and midnight murder fed. View quote
Thomas Gray
E'en from the tomb the voice of Nature cries, E'en in our Ashes live their wonted Fires. (Thomas Gray)
Beyond the limits of a vulgar fate, Beneath the good how far,-but far above the great. View quote
Thomas Gray
Hark, his hands the lyre explore! Bright-eyed Fancy hovering o'er Scatters from her pictured urn Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn. View quote
Thomas Gray
Her track, where'er the goddess roves, Glory pursue, and gen'rous shame, Th' unconquerable mind, 3 and freedom's holy flame. View quote
Thomas Gray
And moody madness laughing wild Amid severest woe. View quote
Thomas Gray