Quote#Happiness
For who to dumb Forgetfulness a prey
Quote byThomas Gray · 1716–1771
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (written 1750, publ. 1751), St. 22.
English (original)
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
More from Thomas Gray
Where his glowing eye−balls turn, Thousand banners round him burn. Where he points his purple spear, Hasty, hasty Rout is there, Marking with indignant eye Fear to stop and shame to fly.
What sorrow was, thou bad'st her know, And from her own she learned to melt at others' woe.
In glittering arms and glory dressed, High he rears his ruby crest. There the thundering strokes begin, There the press and there the din; Talymalfra's rocky shore Echoing to the battle's roar.
'Twas Spring, 'twas Summer, all was gay Now Autumn bears a cloud brow The flowers of Spring are swept way And Summer fruits desert the bough.
Daughter of Jove, relentless power, Thou tamer of the human breast, Whose iron scourge and tort'ring hour The bad affright, afflict the best!
Now my weary lips I close; Leave me, leave me to repose!