Quote#Nature
It happened once, some men of Italy
Quote byWilliam Morris · 1834–1896
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Lady of the Land, Line 1.
English (original)
It happened once, some men of Italy Midst the Greek Islands went a sea-roving, And much good fortune had they on the sea: Of many a man they had the ransoming, And many a chain they gat and goodly thing; And midst their voyage to an isle they came, Whereof my story keepeth not the name.
— William Morris
More from William Morris
Now such an one for daughter Creon had As maketh wise men fools and young men mad.
O thrush, your song is passing sweet But never a song that you have sung, Is half so sweet as thrushes sang When my dear Love and I were young.
Wert thou more fickle than the restless sea, Still should I love thee, knowing thee for such.
The majesty That from man's soul looks through his eager eyes.
I know a little garden-close Set thick with lily and red rose, Where I would wander if I might From dewy dawn to dewy night, And have one with me wandering.
From out the throng and stress of lies, From out the painful noise of sighs, One voice of comfort seems to rise: "It is the meaner part that dies."