Victor Daley

"A Book of Sermons underneath the Bough, A Bag of Buns, some ginger-ale, and Thou Preaching beside me in the wilderness — The wilderness were Paradise enow!"

"The parson said: "Your sinful Past Will make for you a fiery rod." I smiled, and thought upon the vast Amused indifference of God."

"Other Bards I envy not — Room there is for all, God wot — All I ask is room for me On the top branch of the tree."

"Ah apple caused mans fall, as some believe; But that old Snake, malevolently wise, A deadlier snare set when he left to Eve His tongue of honey and mesmeric eyes."

"Six days he does no work, and The seventh takes for rest."

"The narrow, thorny path he trod. "Enter into My joy," said God. The sad ascetic shook his head; "Ive lost all taste for joy," he said."

"Theres rest and peace in plenty here, and eggs and milk to spare; The scenery is calm and sane, and wholesome is the air; The folk are kind, the cows behave like cousins unto me ... But please the Lord, on Monday morn, Im leaving Arcady."

"Life is a web with many broken ends: Then why, O friend, be sad? Good is not near so good as it pretends; Bad is not half so bad."

"Here I can sit at ease on days of rain, And read my Rabelais and my Montaigne, Self-centred as a solitary star That has no satellites its peace to mar. Society salutes me with salaam, For I am single — thank the Lord I am!"

"I do not care for men To point with pride at me; A model citizen I do not wish to be."

"Id sooner talk to a man than a woman any day. Ten minutes exhausts them."

"If beings of Mythology Could live at my commands Id choose to be, Who had a hundred hands: And every hand of mine Would hold a pint of wine."