Quote#Freedom
By fairy hands their knell is rung
Quote byWilliam Collins · 1721–1759
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Ode written in the year 1746. A variation of the first two lines is "By hands unseen the knell is rung; / By fairy forms their dirge is sung"..
English (original)
By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honour comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay; And Freedom shall awhile repair, To dwell a weeping hermit there!
— William Collins
More from William Collins
To fair Fidele's grassy tomb Soft maids and village hinds shall bring Each opening sweet of earliest bloom, And rifle all the breathing spring.
How sleep the brave who sink to rest By all their country's wishes blest!
Too nicely Jonson knew the critic's part; Nature in him was almost lost in Art.
In numbers warmly pure and sweetly strong.
Well may your hearts believe the truths I tell: 'T is virtue makes the bliss, where'er we dwell.
Each lonely scene shall thee restore; For thee the tear be duly shed; Beloved till life can charm no more, And mourn'd till Pity’s self be dead.