Quote#Time
Of Heaven or Hell I have no power to sing
Quote byWilliam Morris · 1834–1896
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Apology, Line 1.
English (original)
Of Heaven or Hell I have no power to sing, I cannot ease the burden of your fears, Or make quick-coming death a little thing, Or bring again the pleasure of past years, Nor for my words shall ye forget your tears, Or hope again for aught that I can say, The idle singer of an empty day.
— William Morris
More from William Morris
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.
Now such an one for daughter Creon had As maketh wise men fools and young men mad.
Wert thou more fickle than the restless sea, Still should I love thee, knowing thee for such.
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.
The majesty That from man's soul looks through his eager eyes.
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."