Quote#Wisdom
Far in the stillness a cat
Quote byWilliam Ernest Henley · 1849–1903
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: A Book of Verses (1888), "In Hospital", VII. "Vigil".
English (original)
Far in the stillness a cat Languishes loudly. A cinder Falls, and the shadows Lurch to the leap of the flame.
— William Ernest Henley
More from William Ernest Henley
Life is (I think) a blunder and a shame.
Bland as a Jesuit, sober as a hymn.
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!
From the winter's gray despair, From the summer’s golden languor, Death, the lover of Life, Frees us for ever.
Valiant in velvet, light in ragged luck, Most vain, most generous, sternly critical, Buffoon and poet, lover and sensualist: A deal of Ariel, just a streak of Puck, Much Antony, of Hamlet most of all, And something of the Shorter-Catechist.