Quote#Death
Not till the fire is dying in the grate
Quote byGeorge Meredith · 1828–1909
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Modern Love (1862), St. 4.
English (original)
Not till the fire is dying in the grate, Look we for any kinship with the stars. Oh, wisdom never comes when it is gold, And the great price we pay for it full worth: We have it only when we are half earth.
— George Meredith
More from George Meredith
I've studied men from my topsy-turvy Close, and I reckon, rather true. Some are fine fellows: some, right scurvy; Most, a dash between the two.
Into the breast that gives the rose, Shall I with shuddering fall?
First of earthly singers, the sun-loved rill.
See ye not, Courtesy Is the true Alchemy, Turning to gold all it touches and tries?
It's past parsons to console us: No, nor no doctor fetch for me: I can die without my bolus; Two of a trade, lass, never agree! Parson and Doctor!--don't they love rarely Fighting the devil in other men's fields!
Earth, the mother of all, Moves on her stedfast way, Gathering, flinging, sowing. Mortals, we live in her day, She in her children is growing.