Life — life — life! 'Tis the sole great thing

Quote byWilliam Ernest Henley · 1849–1903

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Hawthorn and Lavender (1901), XI.

English (original)

Life — life — life! 'Tis the sole great thing This side of death, Heart on heart in the wonder of Spring!

— William Ernest Henley

Far in the stillness a cat Languishes loudly. A cinder Falls, and the shadows Lurch to the leap of the flame.

From the winter's gray despair, From the summer’s golden languor, Death, the lover of Life, Frees us for ever.

Life is (I think) a blunder and a shame.

Ho! then, the splendour And sheen of my ministry, Clothing the earth With a livery of lightnings! Ho! then, the music Of battles in onset

Hark how the Trumpet, The mistress of mistresses, Calls, silver-throated And stern, where the tables Are spread, and the work Of the Lord is in hand!

Bland as a Jesuit, sober as a hymn.