Quote#Nature
The tragic element in poetry is like Saturn in alchemy, — the…
Quote byHenry Wadsworth Longfellow · 1807–1882
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Table-Talk (1857).
English (original)
The tragic element in poetry is like Saturn in alchemy, — the Malevolent, the Destroyer of Nature ; but without it no true Aurum Potabile, or Elixir of Life, can be made.
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
More from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Stars of the summer night! Far in yon azure deeps, Hide, hide your golden light! She sleeps! My lady sleeps!
She floats upon the river of his thoughts.
They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast, And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
Music is the universal language of mankind — poetry their universal pastime and delight.
Dreams of the summer night! Tell her, her lover keeps Watch! while in slumbers light She sleeps.
Never here, forever there, Where all parting, pain, and care, And death, and time shall disappear,— Forever there, but never here! The horologe of Eternity Sayeth this incessantly,—