Alfred Austin

"All imitation is exaggeration."

"Omit deaths certain sharpness, life would lack The salt that lends it savour."

"Know, Nature, like the cuckoo, laughs at law, Placing her eggs in whatso nest she will."

"I love the doubt, the dark, the fear, That still surroundeth all things here. I love the mystery, nor seek to solve; Content to let the stars revolve, Nor ask to have their meaning clear. Enough for me, enough to feel; To let the mystic shadows steal Into a land whither I cannot follow. To see the stealthy sunlight leave Dewy dingle, dappled hollow; To watch, when falls the hour of eve, Quiet shadows on a quiet hill; To watch, to wonder, and be still."

"Lo, where huge London, huger day by day, Oer six fair counties spreads its hideous sway."

"So, timely you came, and well you chose, You came when most needed, my winter rose. From the snow I pluck you, and fondly press Your leaves twixt the leaves of my leaflessness."

"O thou sophist, Man! Reason by reason proved unreasonable Continues reasoning still! Confronted close, What is this reason? Like the peacocks tail, Just useful for a flourish, nothing more; And when tis down, the world goes on the same."

"If Nature built by rule and square, Than man what wiser would she be? What wins us is her careless care, And sweet unpunctuality."

"Who once believed will never wholly doubt."

"When the foal and broodmare hinny, And in every cut-down spinney Ladysmocks grow mauve and mauver, Then the winter days are over"

"Then, without toil, by vale and mountain side, Men found their few and simple wants supplied; Plenty, like dew, dropped subtle from the air, And Earths fair gifts rose prodigal as prayer. Love, with no charms except its own to lure, Was swiftly answered by a love as pure. No need for wealth; each glittering fruit and flower, Each star, each streamlet, made the maidens dower."

"Friendship, tis said, is love without his wings, And friendship, sir, is sweet enough for me."