Quote#Wisdom
Now air is hushed, save where the weak-eyed bat
Quote byWilliam Collins · 1721–1759
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Ode to Evening (1747), line 9..
English (original)
Now air is hushed, save where the weak-eyed bat, With short shrill shriek flits by on leathern wing, Or where the beetle winds His small but sullen horn, As oft he rises 'midst the twilight path, Against the pilgrim borne in heedless hum.
— William Collins
More from William Collins
How sleep the brave who sink to rest By all their country's wishes blest!
Too nicely Jonson knew the critic's part; Nature in him was almost lost in Art.
In numbers warmly pure and sweetly strong.
Well may your hearts believe the truths I tell: 'T is virtue makes the bliss, where'er we dwell.
By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honour comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay; And Freedom shall awhile repair, To dwell a weeping hermit there!
To fair Fidele's grassy tomb Soft maids and village hinds shall bring Each opening sweet of earliest bloom, And rifle all the breathing spring.